Biodisintegrable Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)/Sago Starch (SS) Composites for Food Packaging Applications

Haydar Zaman; Ruhul A. Khan

Abstract

Research scientists are very interested in polysaccharide-filled plastics as a way to create a biodisintegrable polymer composite. The goal of the current study is to employ SS to create a biodisintegrable polymer composite, which could pave the way for a more user-friendly polymer composite in the future. In this study, LDPE/SS biodisintegrable composites were created by physically blending SS and LDPE in a Brabender mixer. The effects of varying the SS concentration on the mechanical, thermal, and biodegradability characteristics of the polymer composite were examined. The mechanical and thermal properties of the polymer composite were then examined to see how the cross-linking agent affected them. The melt flow index of the blends was established in order to evaluate their rheological properties and appropriateness for the blow film technique. The SS content had a direct impact on the polymer composite's mechanical properties and biodegradability. With the addition of SS, the tensile modulus of LDPE increased but the melt flow index and elongation at break dropped. It has been observed that cross-linked SS in LDPE/SS composites has a greater melt flow index than other composites. LDPE/SS composites have superior characteristics to other homogeneous composites because of the cross-linked SS, which also results in superior SS dispersion. Compared to non-cross-linked SS/LDPE composites, cross-linked SS/LDPE composites showed improved elongation at break and tensile modulus. Although they were remained lower than those of virgin LDPE, cross-linked SS blends had higher crystallization temperatures than non-cross-linked SS blends. Furthermore, tests on the biodegradability of a number of SS composites were performed. The water absorption capacity of the cross-linked SS composites was significantly reduced. As a result, the mechanical, thermal, and degrading properties of the synthetic SS-mixed LDPE polymer can be modified to alter the polymer's properties for usage in food packaging applications.