Abstract

The use of synthetic single used plastic packaging and mulching films has serious environmental effects due to their non-degradable waste causing pollution. To replace these synthetic materials, high-strength biodegradable polymer composites of Pectin, Luffa Fiber (agro-waste) and Glycerol are synthesized by the solvent casting technique using a universal solvent. The experimentation is carried out using a 3 × 3 factorial design and the tensile behavior (tensile strength and elongation) of composites is analyzed by response surface methodology (RSM). The tensile strength of pectin containing 10% glycerol is 11.48 MPa which is increased to 19.34 MPa by incorporation of 15% luffa fiber and this composition is optimized with desirability index method (simultaneously optimization) to achieve the best results for elongation at break (188.89%) as well. The interactions between constituents of composites are characterized by FTIR spectro-scopy and scanning electron microscopic study reveals a uniform distribution of fiber. The composites have sustained thermal stability as all composites are stable up to 260°C in an inert atmosphere under TGA study. The biodegradability of composite films was observed by soil burial method and found completely degradable in 75 days. The present composites of non-toxic components with high tensile properties, sustained thermal stability and complete biodegradability are suitable for green packaging applications.

中文翻译：

---

基于果胶和农业废物的环保可行包装薄膜的制备：通过实验设计方法进行热学和机械研究

摘要

使用合成的一次性塑料包装和地膜会对环境造成严重影响，因为它们的不可降解废物会造成污染。为了替代这些合成材料，采用通用溶剂的溶剂浇铸技术合成了果胶、丝瓜纤维（农业废料）和甘油的高强度可生物降解聚合物复合材料。实验采用 3 × 3 因子设计进行，并通过响应面法 (RSM) 分析复合材料的拉伸行为（拉伸强度和伸长率）。含10%甘油的果胶的拉伸强度为11.48 MPa，掺入15%丝瓜络纤维后，拉伸强度提高到19.34 MPa，并用理想指数法（同时优化）对该组成进行优化，获得最佳的断裂伸长率结果（188.89%）。 ）也是如此。通过 FTIR 光谱和扫描电子显微镜研究来表征复合材料成分之间的相互作用，揭示了纤维的均匀分布。该复合材料具有持续的热稳定性，因为根据 TGA 研究，所有复合材料在惰性气氛中在高达 260°C 的温度下都保持稳定。采用土埋法观察复合膜的生物降解性，发现75 d即可完全降解。本发明的复合材料由无毒成分组成，具有高拉伸性能、持续热稳定性和完全生物降解性，适用于绿色包装应用。