Maizatulnisa Othman

Effects of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTS) on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Plasticized Polylactic Acid Nanocomposites

A multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/plasticized polylactic acid (PLA) composite was prepared using a two-roll mill set at 170°C and 50 rev/min. The material was characterized using dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA). Characterization works include obtaining mechanical properties, such as tensile and flexural properties of the nanocomposites. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) at 6 wt% was used as the plasticizer for blending with the PLA. It was found that the tensile and flexural strengths of the nanocomposites increased up to 43.8 MPa and 81.4 MPa respectively with the addition of 0.15 wt% MWCNTs. The DMA results revealed that the storage modulus and the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the nanocomposites improved with the addition of 0.15 wt% CNTs, which was previously reduced by the incorporation of PEG.

Biodegradability Analysis of KBF Reinforced Poly(lactic Acid) Biocomposites

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and kenaf bast fiber (KBF) were melt-blended using brabender into films in the PLA/KBF ratios of 100/0, 90/10, 70/30 and 50/50 for natural soil burial test. This formulation was used to study the biodegradability of PLA and PLA/KBF biocomposites. It was found that the decompositions of the biocomposite were faster than pure PLA. The SEM morphology of the tensile fracture surface of the 30% and 50% of PLA/KBF biocomposites presented larger pores and degradation areas than smaller KBF loading (10 wt%). This result shows that the addition of larger fibre loading to the PLA matrix increased the micropore surface area of the PLA/KBF biocomposite hence accelerated the decompositions time of the biocomposites.

Bio-polymer chitosan and corn starch with extract of hibiscus rosa-sinensis (hibiscus) as PH indicator for visually-smart food packaging

This study is focusing on the presence of pigments called anthocyanin in hibiscus, can be used as pH indicator as the pigments react with OH− ions before changing its color depending on the acidity or alkalinity of the surroundings. Hence, a system for pH monitoring based on chitosan, corn starch and phytochemical extract from Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (hibiscus), all inexpensively obtained from renewable sources is developed. Chitosan, corn starch and hibiscus extract were used to produce biopolymer pH indicator for smart food packaging. The system is then characterized by using FT-IR, as well as light microscopy. In order to validate the use of this system as a meat spoilage detection sensor, application tests were conducted with chicken breasts. The results show that the system has good optical and morphological properties and is very sensitive to pH variations. During the application test, the s ystem visually indicated pH changes. This shows a clear response to pH variation of the samples. Therefore, it has potential to be used as a visual indicator of the storage and consumption conditions of food.This study is focusing on the presence of pigments called anthocyanin in hibiscus, can be used as pH indicator as the pigments react with OH− ions before changing its color depending on the acidity or alkalinity of the surroundings. Hence, a system for pH monitoring based on chitosan, corn starch and phytochemical extract from Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (hibiscus), all inexpensively obtained from renewable sources is developed. Chitosan, corn starch and hibiscus extract were used to produce biopolymer pH indicator for smart food packaging. The system is then characterized by using FT-IR, as well as light microscopy. In order to validate the use of this system as a meat spoilage detection sensor, application tests were conducted with chicken breasts. The results show that the system has good optical and morphological properties and is very sensitive to pH variations. During the application test, the s ystem visually indicated pH changes. This shows a clear response to pH variation of the samples. Therefore, it...

Mechanical Properties of Gracilaria Lichenoides Reinforced Bioplastic Film

In this study, the mechanical properties of gracilaria lichenoides with additional of plasticizer and filler were evaluated. For samples with the addition of 5.5% of plasticizer, produced low tensile strength and this results is vice versa with elongation at break results. The tensile strength of the bioplastic continuously decreases from 14.8 to 2.7MPa as the plasticizer increases up from 1.5% to 5.5%. This phenomenon was analyses under scanning electron microscope (SEM), it shows that, the formation of pores and crystal agglomeration at sample with 5.5% glycerin. To alter these flaws, squid bone is introduce as filler to the bioplastic. Based on the analysis, additional of 6% filler content did alter the tensile strength up to 8 MPa with 3% of the elongation at break.

Giant vesicles (GV) in colloidal system under the optical polarization microscope (OPM)

This paper discusses the unprecedented microscopic findings of micellar growth in colloidal system (CS) of catalyzed piperidinolysis of ionized phenyl salicylate (PS-). The giant vesicles (GV) was observed under the optical polarization microscope (OPM) at [NaX]=0.1M where X=3-isopropC6H4O-. The conditions were rationalized from pseudo-first-order rate constant, kobs of PS- of micellar phase at 31.1×10-3s-1 reported in previous publication. The overall diameter of GV (57.6μm) in CS (CTABr/NaX/H2O)-catalyzed piperidinolysis (where X=3-isopropC6H4O) of ionized phenyl salicylate were found as giant unilamellar vesicles (GUV) and giant multilamellar vesicles (GMV). The findings were also validated by means of rheological analysis.

Morphology and Water Absorption Analysis on Single Fibre and Leaf of Typha latifolia

The aim of this study is to determine the morphology and water uptake behaviour of single fibre and leaf of Typha Latifolia. In order to study the morphology and water uptake properties of the fibre, a single fibre was taken out from the Typha Latifolia leaf. The leaf was divided into two-part that are top and bottom parts. From direct observation towards leaves, the leaf at the bottom part has more cavities compare to the leaf on the top parts of the tree. Based to morphology analysis, the fibres were found randomly held in the middle of the top part and there were spongy structures in the middle of the bottom part of the leaves. SEM analysis evidenced that a single Typha Latifolia fibre is from a bulk of fibre. A water absorption result at top part of the leaf is higher than bottom part of the leaf with 79.79% and 66.63%, respectively. It was observed that different part of Typha latifolia could absorb water with different percentages.