Physical, mechanical, and morphological properties of graphene-nanoplatelet reinforced arrowroot thermoplastic starch composite films for flexible electronic devices

Traditional synthetic polymers pose significant risks to the environment, and native starch-based films usually have impaired mechanical strength and lack physical functionality. This paper explores the physical, mechanical, and morphological characteristics of the first biocomposite films made of arrowroot thermoplastic starch (AS) reinforced with different concentrations (1, 3, 5, and 10 wt%) of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP). The films were made by a more traditional solution-casting technique in a combination of glycerol and sorbitol as a plasticizer. The findings showed that there was a positive relationship between GNP loading and film thickness, with density reaching a maximum loading of 1% and then levelling off because of the agglomeration effect of fillers. Mechanical testing results showed that the addition of 5% GNP maximized the strength of the material, where the tensile strength was a maximum of 2.83 MPa, and the Young’s modulus was 128.25 MPa, which was a great improvement over that of the neat starch control. Interestingly, the elongation at break was highest with 3% GNP loading (14.37%), and this indicated an optimum ductile balance. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) verified that low-to-moderate loadings resulted in dense and integrated microstructure, whereas higher concentrations (10%) resulted in high agglomeration of GNP and micro-voiding. Further tests showed that GNP reinforcement enhances thermal stability and resistive response by means of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and electrical characterisation, respectively. These results are indicative of the fact that optimised AS/GNP biocomposites are a potential, environmentally appropriate, and inexpensive substitute for the next generation of flexible electronic sensors and devices.

Text 127406.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (17MB) Official URL or Download Paper: https://revmaterialeplastice.ro/articles/12749

Actions (login required)

View Item