| Abstrakt: |
The yearly production of agro-solid waste in the form of maize (Zea mays) cobs is almost ten million tons, and its use as dissolution medium in animal health products, fluid retainer in gardening, soil conditioner, and strengthening agent in biomaterials is remarkable. The focus of this article is to explore the possibility of using maize (Zea mays) cob powder (ZMCP) as reinforcement filler in a PVA matrix. The composite films were made using the solution casting technique with a ZMCP concentration of 5–25 wt% in a homogeneous PVA polymer solution. The composite films were uniformly pale yellow in hue. The PVA/ZMCP films were characterized by FTIR, XRD, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), morphology, transmissibility, tensile test, % of water absorption, WVP, and soil burial tests. The incorporation of Zea mays cob powder enhanced the thermal stability, transmissibility, and biodegradation properties of the film. The PVA/ZMCP biofilm samples were thermally stable up to 322.16 °C. The surface morphology of films indicated that the excellent compatibility between base materials up to 20wt% of ZMCP loading. PVA/(20wt%) ZMCP biofilm exhibited maximum tensile properties. Because of the ZMCP concentration throughout the PVA matrix, the % of water uptake, % of film solubility, and WVP all rose gradually. PVA/ZMCP biofilms lost up to 56.8% of their weight in the soil after 30 days. In essence, the PVA/ZMCP films possessed all desirable properties to be considered as novel and intelligent materials for packaging and enfolding applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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