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Biodegradability Studies of Bio-Composites of Polypropylene Reinforced By Potato Starch

Srabayeeta Basu Roy, Subhas C Shit, Ranjan A Sengupta, Premal R Shukla

In this study, poly propylene (PP)/potato starch (PS) blend films are prepared using the two roll mill machine. The biodegradability of the films is investigated by soil burial method over a period of 4 months. The percentage weight loss of the bio-composites in the compost soil burial test is increasing with increasing PS content. The biodegradability of the bio-composites is enhanced with increasing starch content because the PS is easily attacked by microorganisms. Any changes in the various properties of the PP/PS before and after degradation are monitored using weight loss, FTIR spectroscopy, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) for surface morphology, a thermo gravimetric analyzer (TGA) for rapid determination of starch content and a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) for crystallanity. It can be concluded from the results that use of these bio-composites will reduce the environmental problems associated with waste pollution and the study findings support the predicted application of bio-composites as green-composites or eco-materials.