PROPERTIES ENHANCEMENT AND COMPOSITIONAL OPTIMIZATION STUDY OF TAILORED NANOSILICA REINFORCED BIOPLASTIC FILM COMPOSITES

Harrison Onovo; Ademola Agbeleye; Theddeus Akano; Kenechukwu Orafunam; Daniel Oludele; Joshua Olawoyin; Isaiah Kentosu

doi:10.4314/njt.v44i1.3

Authors

H. Onovo Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Lagos, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4459-5563
A. Agbeleye Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Lagos, Nigeria
T. Akano Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Botswana Gaborone, Botswana
K. Orafunam Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Lagos, Nigeria
D. Oludele Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Lagos, Nigeria
J. Olawoyin Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Lagos, Nigeria
I. Kentosu Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Lagos, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4314/njt.v44i1.3

Keywords:

Bioplastic film composite, Starch, Glycerol, Silicate nanoparticle, Maximum Biodegradability, Water absorption, Optimal performance, Tensile strength, Hydrophilicity, Tensile modulus, Sustainable

Abstract

The harmful environmental impact of synthetic plastics has created an urgent need to develop biodegradable polymers for industrial and commercial applications. This study developed sustainable bioplastic film composites from renewable starch and SiO₂ nanoparticles (SiO₂-NPs) as alternatives to conventional plastics. The films were fabricated by varying the proportions of starch, glycerol, and SiO₂-NPs, and standard tests measured biodegradability, water absorption, and tensile strength. Surface plot analysis and regression models correlated composition with performance, enabling the identification of optimal formulations for applications such as food packaging and medical devices. Results showed that biodegradability and water absorption increase with higher starch and glycerol levels but decrease with more SiO₂-NPs, while tensile strength and modulus improve with increased SiO₂-NPs yet decline with higher starch and glycerol. Optimal performance was achieved at distinct compositions: maximum biodegradability (>70%) and highest tensile strength (1.6 MPa) were observed at 13–14% SiO₂-NPs and 1–2% starch, whereas minimum water absorption (20–60%) occurred at 0–1% SiO₂-NPs and 13–14% starch. These findings indicate that the total amounts of SiO₂-NPs and starch, rather than their ratio, predominantly control the film properties. For instance, films with 11 g starch, 9.15 g glycerol, and 2 g SiO₂-NPs exhibited 9.8% biodegradability, while those with 13 g starch, 9.15 g glycerol, and 1.2 g SiO₂-NPs showed 9.2%, suggesting that increased glycerol and SiO₂-NPs reduce biodegradability. Similarly, higher starch and glycerol elevate water absorption due to starch’s hydrophilicity, though added SiO₂-NPs lowered it, and tensile strength improves with more SiO₂-NPs while declined with increased starch and glycerol. Results also specified that the bioplastic films had an average thickness of 0.4 mm, their density increased linearly with the SiO₂-NPs additions, and they achieved V-1 and V-2 flammability ratings. Thus, adjusting these components tailored the bioplastic films for specific applications, supporting their development as sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics.

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