Mechanical and Water Barrier Properties of Inhomogeneous Clay Nano-Particles Reinforced Thermoplastic Starch

This research investigated the development of biodegradable bioplastic as a possible replacement for petroleum-based plastics, which constitute a serious environmental hazard. These hazards include but are not limited to flooding resulting from blocked sewage and danger to aquatic life in marine en...

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Main Authors: Stephen Emeka Ochei, Johnson Olumuyiwa Agunsoye, Henry Ekene Mgbemere, Kolawole Dayo Alonge
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: College of Engineering of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Ekiti State, Nigeria 2024-05-01
Series:ABUAD Journal of Engineering Research and Development
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.journals.abuad.edu.ng/index.php/ajerd/article/view/383
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author Stephen Emeka Ochei
Johnson Olumuyiwa Agunsoye
Henry Ekene Mgbemere
Kolawole Dayo Alonge
author_facet Stephen Emeka Ochei
Johnson Olumuyiwa Agunsoye
Henry Ekene Mgbemere
Kolawole Dayo Alonge
author_sort Stephen Emeka Ochei
collection DOAJ
description This research investigated the development of biodegradable bioplastic as a possible replacement for petroleum-based plastics, which constitute a serious environmental hazard. These hazards include but are not limited to flooding resulting from blocked sewage and danger to aquatic life in marine environments. The solution casting method was used to blend inhomogeneous kaolinite clay nano-particles with distilled water, starch, dilute acetic and nitric acids to produce different compositions of thermoplastic starch (TPS)/Clay composites with clay reinforcements ranging from 2.5 to 10 wt.%.  The composites were characterized using an X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the mechanical and water absorption properties were determined. The result revealed a 9-fold improvement in the tensile strength (0.72 MPa), flexural strength increased 5-fold (3.34 MPa), and hardness increased 2-fold (23.56 HVN) as well as a reduction in water absorption by 3-fold (6.63%) when compared to the control. Furthermore, the 10 wt.% clay content composite showed the highest mechanical properties. The significant improvement in the listed properties was attributed to a reduction in crystallinity and the formation of new chemical bonds between the thermoplastic starch and the nano-clay. It was observed that the properties of the composites can be further enhanced if a synchronized machine blender (such as an extruder) is employed.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2756-6811
2645-2685
language English
publishDate 2024-05-01
publisher College of Engineering of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Ekiti State, Nigeria
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series ABUAD Journal of Engineering Research and Development
spelling doaj-art-243e60217c2c4b248e5ddcc0c4c628cb2024-11-27T09:21:39ZengCollege of Engineering of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Ekiti State, NigeriaABUAD Journal of Engineering Research and Development2756-68112645-26852024-05-017110.53982/ajerd.2024.0701.16-jMechanical and Water Barrier Properties of Inhomogeneous Clay Nano-Particles Reinforced Thermoplastic StarchStephen Emeka Ochei0Johnson Olumuyiwa Agunsoye1Henry Ekene Mgbemere2Kolawole Dayo Alonge3Engineering Materials Research Department, Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute, KM 10, Idiroko Road, Ota, Ogun State, NigeriaDepartment of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State, NigeriaDepartment of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State, NigeriaDepartment of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State, Nigeria This research investigated the development of biodegradable bioplastic as a possible replacement for petroleum-based plastics, which constitute a serious environmental hazard. These hazards include but are not limited to flooding resulting from blocked sewage and danger to aquatic life in marine environments. The solution casting method was used to blend inhomogeneous kaolinite clay nano-particles with distilled water, starch, dilute acetic and nitric acids to produce different compositions of thermoplastic starch (TPS)/Clay composites with clay reinforcements ranging from 2.5 to 10 wt.%.  The composites were characterized using an X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the mechanical and water absorption properties were determined. The result revealed a 9-fold improvement in the tensile strength (0.72 MPa), flexural strength increased 5-fold (3.34 MPa), and hardness increased 2-fold (23.56 HVN) as well as a reduction in water absorption by 3-fold (6.63%) when compared to the control. Furthermore, the 10 wt.% clay content composite showed the highest mechanical properties. The significant improvement in the listed properties was attributed to a reduction in crystallinity and the formation of new chemical bonds between the thermoplastic starch and the nano-clay. It was observed that the properties of the composites can be further enhanced if a synchronized machine blender (such as an extruder) is employed. https://www.journals.abuad.edu.ng/index.php/ajerd/article/view/383BiodegradableThermoplastic StarchInhomogeneousAluminosilicate ClayNanoparticles
spellingShingle Stephen Emeka Ochei
Johnson Olumuyiwa Agunsoye
Henry Ekene Mgbemere
Kolawole Dayo Alonge
Mechanical and Water Barrier Properties of Inhomogeneous Clay Nano-Particles Reinforced Thermoplastic Starch
ABUAD Journal of Engineering Research and Development
Biodegradable
Thermoplastic Starch
Inhomogeneous
Aluminosilicate Clay
Nanoparticles
title Mechanical and Water Barrier Properties of Inhomogeneous Clay Nano-Particles Reinforced Thermoplastic Starch
title_full Mechanical and Water Barrier Properties of Inhomogeneous Clay Nano-Particles Reinforced Thermoplastic Starch
title_fullStr Mechanical and Water Barrier Properties of Inhomogeneous Clay Nano-Particles Reinforced Thermoplastic Starch
title_full_unstemmed Mechanical and Water Barrier Properties of Inhomogeneous Clay Nano-Particles Reinforced Thermoplastic Starch
title_short Mechanical and Water Barrier Properties of Inhomogeneous Clay Nano-Particles Reinforced Thermoplastic Starch
title_sort mechanical and water barrier properties of inhomogeneous clay nano particles reinforced thermoplastic starch
topic Biodegradable
Thermoplastic Starch
Inhomogeneous
Aluminosilicate Clay
Nanoparticles
url https://www.journals.abuad.edu.ng/index.php/ajerd/article/view/383
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AT henryekenemgbemere mechanicalandwaterbarrierpropertiesofinhomogeneousclaynanoparticlesreinforcedthermoplasticstarch
AT kolawoledayoalonge mechanicalandwaterbarrierpropertiesofinhomogeneousclaynanoparticlesreinforcedthermoplasticstarch