The Effects of Aloe Vera and Other Plasticizers On PVA and Starch Films

Tan, Wei Min (2018) The Effects of Aloe Vera and Other Plasticizers On PVA and Starch Films. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

Solution casting method was used to prepare the polymer blend films with different formulations. The mechanical and thermal properties of the polymer blend films were investigated and analyzed using various instruments. The instruments included differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). FTIR was used to study the functional groups present in the polymer blend films. DSC was used to determine the melting point (Tm) and glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymer blend. The physical and chemical properties of PVAAV (polyvinyl alcohol – Aloe vera) blend were studied. PVAAV containing 20% AV had a reduction in Tg by 5.46 % as compared to that of pure PVA. Its melting temperature was also depressed by 1.68%. In addition to that, PVAAV (AV 25%) showed the highest ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation at break (EAB %). The findings conveyed that Aloe is able to enhance the mechanical properties of PVA to an extent when increased up 20%. AV, glycerol and sorbitol were able to depress transition temperatures of starch as well. However, low percent of AV did not seemingly improve the mechanical properties of starch. The resulting starch – Aloe vera (SAV) blend films were too brittle to be tested for mechanical analysis.