Title : Synthesis and characterization of cellulose based bioplastic
Abstract:
The packaging industry contributes significantly to plastic waste A consequential percentage of packaging materials are made from fossil-fuel-based plastics. The end-of-life cycle scenario of these plastics is detrimental to the planet and all that is contained in it. Recent studies have shown the presence of microplastics in the human body. There is an urgent need to produce biodegradable packaging materials that possess equal or superior performance properties to conventional plastics.
Cellulose is a naturally occurring polymer that can be extracted from biomass, hence it is environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and readily available. At the nanoscale level, the properties of cellulose can be manipulated and applied in diverse ways. During this presentation, the source from which the cellulose used in the study was obtained and the process through which it was extracted will be discussed. The specific solvent used in the dissolution of the extracted cellulose and the process through which the bioplastic film was produced will also be discussed. All the products obtained during the study were characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), particle size analysis (PSA), friction test, and water contact angle tests. The results obtained from the analysis will be presented. The effects and implications of the process and the results obtained will also be discussed. Constructive comparisons will be made between the results obtained in the study and the results obtained from available literature. This will be followed by concluding remarks
Audience Take Away Notes:
- From the literature, there is limited information about the formation of bioplastic films adequate information is also lacking regarding the process and ways of dissolving cellulose and biopolymers generally. This presentation will explain how the bioplastic films were produced and the process involved in the dissolution of cellulose nanoparticles. This information will not only add to the knowledge of the audience but also give all the first-hand information needed to try the same process in their laboratories
- Independent researchers, staff of institutions, and students will be able to use the information garnered from this presentation to widen their research horizon and even explore other materials, thereby helping them in their jobs
- This is a research other faculties can use to expand their research and teaching
- This presentation will simplify the process of bio-film production, which is currently a field of great interest in the research world
