Synthesis and Characterisation of Mango Seed Kernel Starch-Based Bioplastic with Plasticizer and Graphene-Reinforced Filler

Lok, Shin Yeng (2026) Synthesis and Characterisation of Mango Seed Kernel Starch-Based Bioplastic with Plasticizer and Graphene-Reinforced Filler. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

Text Lok Shin Yeng_Full Text.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (3MB)

Abstract

The escalating environmental crisis caused by petroleum-based plastic accumulation and agricultural waste necessitates the development of sustainable, biodegradable alternatives. This study explores the potential of synthesizing and characterizing bioplastic films using starch extracted from mango seed kernels (MS) as the primary polymer matrix. To overcome the inherent brittleness of MS starch, a dual-plasticizer system consisting of glycerol and sorbitol was employed. This research investigates the synergistic effects of varying the weight ratios of glycerol to sorbitol (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, 0:100) within a fixed total plasticizer concentration of 30% (w/w). Furthermore, the reinforcement potential of a graphene-calcium carbonate (CaCO3) hybrid filler was evaluated by varying its concentration (1%, 3%, 5% and 7% w/w). The resulting bioplastic films were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to analyze hydrogen bonding interactions, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to determine thermal stability, and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) to evaluate phase transitions. Mechanical properties including tensile strength and elongation at break, were measured, while the environmental and functional durability of the MSKS-based films were determined through water absorption capacity and soil biodegradability testing. Results indicate that the incorporation of graphene-based fillers creates a tortuous path that significantly enhanced the moisture barrier properties of the films. Additionally, optimizing the glycerol-to-sorbitol ratio allowed for a tailored balance between flexibility and tensile strength. This research serves as a preliminary study demonstrating that the integration of nano-fillers and mixed-plasticizer systems can produce high-performance, eco-friendly bioplastics from underutilized agricultural by-products.