Journal of Fibers and Polymer Composites

Moisture Characteristics of Biocomposites from PVA/Cassava Starch Reinforced by Lemon Peel Fiber

2024-11-10T09:58:13+07:00

This study reports the moisture absorption and surface morphological characteristics of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) and cassava starch biocomposite with lemon peel fiber as reinforcement. Biocomposite is produced by film casting method. The addition of lemon peel fiber decreases moisture absorption properties. The lowest moisture absorption is 53,37 % for PVA/Cassava starch with 4% lemon peel fiber. This result is much lower than PVA and PVA/starch. Good adhesion of interfacial bonding and the compact structure of the biocomposite thus reduce the moisture absorption. From these results, the created biocomposite can serve as an environmentally friendly alternative.

A Review: Peptide-Based Hydrogels Biomaterials: From Synthesis to Biomedical Applications

2025-03-04T09:11:49+07:00

Peptide-based hydrogel biomaterials (BHP) have emerged as novel therapeutic platforms for biomedical applications, providing accurate, efficient, and regulated drug delivery. This review examines the design, characterization, production, and biomedical applications of BHP, emphasizing their potential benefits in biomedicine. Advances in peptide synthesis techniques have permitted the creation of hydrogels with customized physicochemical properties to satisfy specific biomedical needs. Furthermore, this review delves into BHPs' biomedical uses, focusing on their role in improving therapeutic responses, allowing for sustained drug release, and reducing tumor growth. BHPs, with their biocompatibility, programmable hydrogel production, and adaptability, constitute a viable technique for addressing the problems of ovarian cancer treatment. This paper gives a thorough summary of current achievements in BHP research, bridging the gap between material development and clinical applications.

Characteristics of Bioplastic Composites on Variations in Taro Starch (Colocasia esculenta)-Carrageenan Ratio and Polycaprolactone Reinforcing Agent Concentration

2025-03-03T14:09:37+07:00

Using petroleum-based plastics presents significant environmental challenges due to their difficulty in decomposition. This study explores the characteristics of bioplastic composites created from taro starch (Colocasia esculenta) and carrageenan, incorporating polycaprolactone (PCL) as a reinforcing agent. An experimental approach was employed, varying the ratio of taro starch to carrageenan (25:75 and 50:50) and the concentration of PCL (7.5%, 10%, 12.5%, and 15%). The evaluation included tests for tensile strength, elongation at break, elasticity, thickness swelling, and biodegradation. The results showed that the variation of the ratio of taro starch: carrageenan affected tensile strength, elasticity, and biodegradation but not elongation at break and swelling. In comparison, PCL reinforcement affected elongation at break and swelling but not tensile strength, elasticity, and biodegradation. Bioplastic composite with a ratio of taro starch: carrageenan of 25:75 and a concentration of PCL reinforcement of 12.5% (0.75 g) with a tensile strength value of 10.37 ± 2.57 MPa; elongation at break of 2.11 ± 10%; elasticity of 520.07 ± 123.47 MPa; swelling of 70.18 ± 4.96% and the duration of biodegradation on the 5^thday. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of C-H, C-O, C=O, and O-H functional groups, indicating compatibility among the materials in forming the bioplastic composites. The results of this study suggest that bioplastics derived from taro starch and carrageenan, supplemented with PCL, could serve as a promising alternative for environmentally friendly packaging that biodegrades more effectively than traditional plastics.

Quality class of Betung Bamboo fiber (Dendrocalamus Asper) from West Sumatra and its Potential as a Raw Material for Paper

2025-03-16T10:55:01+07:00

Betung bamboo is one of the Non-Timber Forest Products referring to the Minister of Forestry Regulation P.35 / MENNUT-II / 2007. In Indonesia, betung bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper) is included in the type of large bamboo which has a very wide potential for pulp and paper raw materials. Identification information of betung bamboo from Agam district, West Sumatra is important to know. Bamboo characteristics include the characteristics and dimensions of bamboo fibers based on bamboo stem sections. The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics and physical properties of betung bamboo based on bamboo stem section. The research method used in this study uses observation and experimental research methods. The results showed that the water content of betung bamboo showed that the base had a higher water content than the top. While the density, thickness and diameter of the bamboo at the base is higher than the middle and top of the bamboo.

The Effect of Comparative Differences in Composition of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (OP-EFB) and HDPE Plastics : Physical and Mechanical Properties of Wood Plastic Composite (WPCs)

2025-03-12T10:19:04+07:00

Wood Plastic Composite (WPCs) in this study is made from oil palm empty bunches (OP-EFB) which function as fillers and plastics that function as a matrix. This study aims to analyze the effect of the comparison of the composition of the empty fruit bunches of oil palm and HDPE plastic based on the physical and mechanical properties of WPCs. Comparison of the composition of OP-EFB and plastics used in this study were (60:40, 55:45, 50:50, 45:55, 40:60) with the addition of maleic anhydride (MAH) coupling agents and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) initiators. The board manufacturing process is carried out at a temperature of 170oC by pressing for 10 minutes. The results showed that the difference in the ratio of OP-EFB composition and HDPE plastic had a significant effect on the WPCs produced. The optimum ratio of OP-EFB fibers and HDPE plastics is the ratio of 45:55 with the density, water absorption, fracture strength (MOR), parallel surface compressive strength, surface perpendicular compression strength of 0.83 g / cm³, 0.21%, 180.86 kg / cm², 200.48 kg / cm², 47.13 kg / cm². The overall physical and mechanical properties of the WPC are in accordance with SNI 8154-2015 standards regarding wood-plastic composites.

Tailored Fiber Alignment in Holed Bamboo Fiber Reinforced Plates

2025-02-20T19:41:08+07:00

Natural fiber composites have proven elusive to large scale use in industry due to their lower mechanical properties than glass or carbon fibers despite their low cost, natural availability, and sustainable sourcing. A method to overcome this obstacle is by placing the fibers in the optimum orientation to best resist the stresses the component is subjected to. This is achieved through a simple analysis of the part’s stress distribution and then using the Tailor Fiber Placement (TFP) process to orient the fibers to optimally resist these stresses. In this study holed Bamboo-Polyester Composite Plates (BPCP) were made using Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM), compression molding and TFP processes. Different fiber orientations and crack resistance patterns were devised to compare the performance of the natural fibers to drilled Fiber Glass Chopped Strand Matts (FGCSM). The study showed that for a tensile test of a rectangular composite plate with a fiber content of 25% Volume, the holed BPCP exhibited a 65 MPa tensile strength and 1.75% strain, which is 172% and 145% of that of a comparable drilled FGCSM plate with the same fiber volume fraction respectively.

Exposure to sustainable mineral fibers as a reinforcement in polymer composites

2025-03-28T14:20:15+07:00

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