Modification of mechanical properties by TiO_2 nano-particle for biodegradable materials made from palm oil sludge and activated sludge cake

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nano-particle is widely used in composite materials to its improved mechanical properties.TiO2 nano-particle was used in the composite material that consists of palm oil sludge from the palm oil production and activated sludge cake from a papermaking process.TiO2 was synthesized by a hydrolysis of titanium isopropoxide.The parameter was investigated by the mole ratio of reactant to different solvents (isopropanol and isobutanol).The solution was prepared by adjusting pH to acid solution,resulting in different sizes and distributions of precipitate which was heated at different temperatures.The obtained samples were then morphologically and structurally characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and particle size distribution (PSD).The experimental results show that the TiO2 sample from isopropanol solvent with heated temperature of 600 °C exhibits the best results.Consequently,different mass fractions of TiO2 (0,0.5%,1.0%,2.0%,4.0% and 8.0%) were used for specimens that were made from palm oil sludge mixed with activated sludge cake.All samples were later characterized by 3-point bending test and compression test.The results indicate that the adding 0.5% and 1.0% TiO2 particles to the composite material outperforms the other fractions in terms of enhancing mechanical properties.Nonetheless,mechanical properties tends to decrease when adding 2.0% TiO2.

Ylang-ylang(Cananga odorata)essential oils with flora odorants enhanced active function of biodegradable polyester films produced by extrusion

Ylang-ylang(Cananga odorata)essential oils(EO)has several active components with flora odorants which are compatible with several foods and desserts.Incorporation of Ylang-ylang EO into biodegradable polymers potentially produce functional packaging,releasing desirable aroma which is attractive to consumers.This research aimed to enhance active function of biodegradable polyester blend films namely polybutylene adipateco-terephthalate(PBAT)and polybutylene succinate(PBS)using cast extrusion with Ylang-ylang EO.Characterizations of the film include morphology,relaxation,infrared absorption and packaging properties.Adding EO gave a smoother microstructure and surface topography and modified the crystal lattice of the PBS phase.Infrared absorption indicated EO-polymer interaction involving C-H stretching vibration.Polymer relaxation influenced transport of gas molecules through PBAT/PBS/EO matrices.Decreasedα-relaxation temperature suggested plasticization effects of the amorphous PBAT phase by EO,increasing oxygen and water vapor permeability by 2.52 and 1.16 times,respectively.Polymer relaxation and crystallinity influenced transport of non-polar oxygen through PBAT/PBS/EO matrices.Moreover,films containing EO effectively delayed fungal growth in pandan pudding and layered pudding by more than 3 days due to the release of volatiles that exhibited antifungal activities.Findings suggested potential of Ylang-ylang EO incorporated biodegradable films to produce active packaging for aroma release,extending product shelf-life.