Tan Shiou Xuan, Andriyana Andri, Ong Hwai Chyuan, Lim Steven, Pang Yean Ling, Ngoh Gek Cheng
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia.
Center of Advanced Materials, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia.
Polymers (Basel). 2022 Feb 10;14(4):664. doi: 10.3390/polym14040664.
Petroleum-based plastics are associated with environmental pollution problems owing to their non-biodegradable and toxic properties. In this context, renewable and biodegradable bioplastics possess great potential to replace petroleum-based plastics in mitigating these environmental issues. Fabrication of bioplastic films involves a delicate mixture of the film-forming agent, plasticizer and suitable solvent. The role of the plasticizer is to improve film flexibility, whereas the filler serves as a reinforcement medium. In recent years, much research attention has been shifted toward devising diverse methods for enhancing the performance of bioplastics, particularly in the utilization of environmentally benign nanoparticles to displace the conventional hazardous chemicals. Along this line, this paper presents the emergence of nanofillers and plasticizers utilized in bioplastic fabrication with a focus on starch-based bioplastics. This review paper not only highlights the influencing factors that affect the optical, mechanical and barrier properties of bioplastics, but also revolves around the proposed mechanism of starch-based bioplastic formation, which has rarely been reviewed in the current literature. To complete the review, prospects and challenges in bioplastic fabrication are also highlighted in order to align with the concept of the circular bioplastic economy and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
基于石油的塑料因其不可生物降解和有毒特性而与环境污染问题相关联。在此背景下，可再生且可生物降解的生物塑料在缓解这些环境问题方面具有巨大潜力来取代基于石油的塑料。生物塑料薄膜的制备涉及成膜剂、增塑剂和合适溶剂的精细混合。增塑剂的作用是提高薄膜柔韧性，而填料用作增强介质。近年来，许多研究注意力已转向设计各种方法来提高生物塑料的性能，特别是在利用环境友好型纳米颗粒取代传统有害化学物质方面。沿着这条线，本文介绍了用于生物塑料制备的纳米填料和增塑剂的出现，重点是基于淀粉的生物塑料。这篇综述文章不仅强调了影响生物塑料光学、机械和阻隔性能的因素，还围绕基于淀粉的生物塑料形成的 proposed 机制展开，而这在当前文献中很少被综述。为完成综述，还强调了生物塑料制备中的前景和挑战，以符合循环生物塑料经济概念和联合国可持续发展目标。
