A Mechanistic Study of the Synthesis of Sustainable Carrageenan-Polylactic Acid Biocomposite

• Published in: Arabian journal for science and engineering (2011) 2024, Vol.49 (6), p.8115-8129
• Main Authors: Othman, Nor Amira, Kamarol Zani, Nur Anis Alisya, Ramli, Nur Amalina, Mohd Azman, Nurul Aini, Adam, Fatmawati, Abu Bakar, Noor Fitrah, Rehan, Mohammad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomedical materials; Bonding strength; Carrageenan; Composite materials; Engineering; Food packaging; Humanities and Social Sciences; Hydrogen bonding; Hydrophobicity; multidisciplinary; Natural polymers; Polylactic acid; Polymers; Research Article-Chemical Engineering; Science; Synthesis; Tensile strength; Thermal stability
• ISSN: 2193-567X; 1319-8025; 2191-4281
• DOI: 10.1007/s13369-024-08727-x

Environmental friendly biocomposites are urgently needed to mitigate the pollution caused by huge consumption of petroleum-based polymers. Renewable carrageenan and polylactic acid (PLA) natural polymers have the potential to replace petroleum-origin polymers. Nevertheless, the carrageenan and PLA themselves inherit poor tensile strength, hydrophobicity and stability. The aim of this study is to underpin the mechanism of synthesis of carrageenan-PLA biocomposite using van’t Hoff plot, 1HNMR and density functional theorem simulation. Strong hydrogen bonding was found at 1.88 Å between O atom (carrageenan) and H atom (PLA) and was validated in 1 HNMR shifting at 5.3 ppm corresponding to –OH group from PLA. The interaction established in the biocomposite mixed at 50 °C leads to a stronger tensile strength of 75.37 MPa, higher hydrophobicity and thermal stability with highest activation energy of 45.39 kJ/mol. The biocomposite produced from renewable carrageenan-PLA material would be a future replacement for nondegradable plastic as a food packaging material.