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Physicochemical Properties of Thermoplastic Starch/ Hemp Biofilm Produced by Casting Method
Summary
Biodegradable biocomposites made from thermoplastic starch reinforced with hemp biomass filler showed improved thermal stability and morphological transitions from smooth to fibrous structures as filler concentration increased from 0.1% to 1%. These starch-hemp biofilms represent a promising sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics, with characterization data supporting their development as environmentally friendly packaging materials.
Irrational disposal of plastic waste exposes both to environmental consequences and adverse effects on human health. This article aims to advance research in the development of new biodegradable composites based on starch and lignocellulose biomass from hemp. The primary objective was to develop an optimal formulation and characterize the resulting biomass through physicochemical analyses, including FTIR to monitor changes in functional groups in biocomposites, TGA to assess thermal stability, and SEM to investigate morphology and changes during the introduction of filler and its distribution. When a biomass filler was introduced into the polymer matrix at the specified concentrations (0.1%, 0.3%, and 1%), minor changes in the intensity of functional groups and thermal stability were observed, which is associated with a decrease in moisture content with an increase in filler concentration. The TGA results demonstrated comparable thermal degradation of the samples, with the primary stage of decomposition occurring at a temperature of approximately 283 °C, confirming the presence of a single basic structure in the form of TPS in all samples. The total mass loss decreases from 93.552% to 88.552% with increasing filler concentration, thereby improving the thermal stability of the sample. SEM mass showed noticeable changes in the morphology of the samples, specifically a gradual transition from a smooth surface to more heterogeneous, fibrous structures as the filler concentration increased. The data obtained indicate that the introduction of hemp fibers increases the rigidity of the polymer matrix and improves thermal performance; however, it should be noted that the high filler content reduces the flexibility of the sample. In general, TPS/hemp biocomposites demonstrate high potential as biodegradable materials, making them suitable as environmentally friendly raw materials and contributing to the development of sustainable polymer biocomposites.