Evaluation of properties of rice straw particulate (RSP) filled poly (Lactic Acid) (PLA)/Thermoplastic Tapioca Starch (TPTS) blends biocomposites

Abstract

This research is carried out due to the development of deriving biodegradable materials from renewable resources which is applicable in a wide range. In this study, rice straw particulate (RSP) was filled in the Poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/ thermoplastic tapioca starch (TPTS) blends biocomposites to improve the properties of PLA/TPTS biocomposites. Several tests had been conducted to investigate and compare the effect of RSP content as filler in the morphological fracture, physical properties, mechanical properties and water absorbability as well as the tensile properties after water absorption of PLA/TPTS biocomposites. According the tensile properties between pure PLA and PLA/TPTS blends biocomposites, 90wt% PLA/10wt% TPTS composite was chosen as the optimum ratio for the subsequent research. The tensile strength and elongation at break (Eb) of RSP filled PLA/TPTS blends biocomposites decreased with the increased of RSP content. However, the Young’s modulus increased when filled with RSP. From the micrographs of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), pores, agglomeration, rough surface and fibril were observed. The result of water absorption on the weight change of RSP filled biocomposites was higher than PLA/TPTS biocomposites. Furthermore, the effect of water absorption on the tensile properties of PLA/TPTS biocomposites and RSP filled PLA/TPTS biocomposites also being investigated. The overall tensile properties of RSP filled PLA/TPTS biocomposites after water absorption were higher than PLA/TPTS biocomposites.