A mechanistic study of the synthesis of sustainable carrageenan-polylactic acid biocomposite

• Main Authors: Nor Amira, Othman, Nur Anis Alisya, Kamarol Zani, Nur Amalina, Ramli, Nurul Aini, Mohd Azman, Fatmawati, Adam, Noor Fitrah, Abu Bakar, Rehan, Mohammad
• Format: Article
• Language: English; English
• Published: Springer 2024
• Subjects: TP Chemical technology
• Online Access: http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/42657/1/A%20mechanistic%20study%20of%20the%20synthesis%20of%20sustainable%20carrageenan-polylactic%20acid%20biocomposite_ABST.pdf; http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/42657/2/A%20mechanistic%20study%20of%20the%20synthesis%20of%20sustainable%20carrageenan-polylactic%20acid%20biocomposite.pdf; http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/42657/; https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-024-08727-x; https://doi.org/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 1HNMR 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.