| Abstract Scope |
Petroleum-based plastics constitute hazard to humans and the climate because of their extreme resistant to biodegradation, thus releasing micro and nano plastics into the air and water, which are toxic when ingested by human. The aim of this study is to synthesis bioplastic films by utilising waste sorghum bicolor starch and Colocasia esculenta starch and incorporating nanomaterials to improve the films' mechanical and physiochemical characteristics. Plasticizer (glycerol) employed in the bioplastics' production was derived from the transesterification of inedible oil, guaranteeing its 100% natural composition. The proportion of nanomaterials, glycerol, and citric acid in the bioplastics were 0–10%, 0–50%, and 0–30%, respectively. Several analyses such as morphological characterisation, biodegradability, tensile, water absorption and solubility analyses, thermogravimetric analysis, were conducted on the films. Therefore, bioplastics synthesised from completely natural sources are a great alternative to petroleum-based plastics because they are safe to human and the environment. |