Development and characterization of a biodegradable film based on guar gum-gelatin@sodium alginate for a sustainable environment

• Published in: RSC advances Vol. 14; no. 27; pp. 19349 - 19361
• Main Authors: Shah Bukhary, Syed Kashif Hussain, Choudhary, Faheem Khalid, Iqbal, Dure Najaf, Ali, Zahid, Sadiqa, Ayesha, Latif, Shoomaila, Al-Ahmary, Khairia Mohammed, Basheer, Sehar, Ali, Ijaz, Ahmed, Mahmood
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Royal Society of Chemistry 12.06.2024; The Royal Society of Chemistry
• Subjects: Addition polymerization; Bioplastics; Chemical synthesis; Chemistry; Fourier transforms; Gelatin; Guar gum; Infrared spectroscopy; Latex; Light transmittance; Molecular interactions; Polymer films; Polymers; Scanning electron microscopy; Sodium; Sodium alginate; Spectrum analysis; Tensile strength; Thermogravimetric analysis; Thin films; Water absorption
• ISSN: 2046-2069; 2046-2069
• DOI: 10.1039/d4ra03985h

A significant amount of plastic trash has been dumped into the environment across the world, contributing to the present white pollution crisis. Therefore, plastic manufacturing and disposal must be examined. Biodegradable plastics (BPs) have recently become the subject of study due to their beneficial biodegradability and harmlessness, and they have been the most efficient method for addressing the issue of plastic pollution. This study aims to enhance the synthesis of biodegradable polymers from sodium alginate (Na-Alg) with the addition of guar gum, corn starch, and gelatin using the solution-casting method, followed by mixing in suitable proportions and drying at a certain temperature, resulting in thin film formation. To enhance qualities of the already produced polymer, additional substances such as glycerol, PVA, and latex were added as plasticizers. Characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tensile strength, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), UV-vis spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were used to study structural characteristics, surface morphology, polymeric linkages, water absorption capabilities, chemical conductivity, and light transmittance of the newly formed films. These characterization results depict a remarkable achievement in the sense of the high degradability and impressive tensile strength of the newly formed films. In addition, SEM images indicated a porous structure with interconnected pores. FT-IR confirms the occurrence of molecular interactions between separate components. Consequently, different films showed different behavior of degradability, and it is suggested from interpreting the results that the polymeric films may be a viable biodegradable option. A significant amount of plastic trash has been dumped into the environment across the world, contributing to the present white pollution crisis.