Synthesis and characterization of corn starch based biodegradable plastic: microstructural, structural, and decomposition studies for potential applications
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of biodegradable plastics using corn flour, vinegar, glycerin, and varying amounts of water. The biodegradable plastics were synthesized via a two-step process involving solvent casting and controlled physical foaming. X-ray diffraction patterns exhibited broad amorphous halos centered at 2θ ≈ 19.6°, alongside weak peaks at 15.1 and 23.3°, indicating a semi- crystalline nature. Scanning electron microscopy displayed a heterogeneous grain surface of starch granules with an average pore size of ~ 119–585 μm2. The prepared biodegradable plastics have the highest porosity (~ 31.67 %), depicting a loosely packed amorphous nature. Energy dispersion spectroscopy provided the elemental analysis of starch-based biopolymers. Fourier-transform infrared spectra showcased functional groups viz., hydroxyl (O–H) at ~ 3340–3365 cm-1, carbonyl (C=O) at ~ 1717–1735 cm-1, and glycosidic linkages (α-1,4) at ~ 917–926 cm-1. The bioplastic samples have considerable degradation (up to 84.298 %) in red soil in a week. Thus, such starch-based bioplastics can be used as alternatives to conventional plastics.
Source: Materials Physics and Mechanics
Language: English
Subfield: Biomaterials
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7225148782