The effects of graphene oxide functionalization on the properties of sago starch-based bioplastics

This study aims to determine the effects of graphene oxide (GO) addition to the properties of sago starch-based bioplastic. Bioplastics were prepared via the solution intercalation method while the GO was synthesized using Hummers method. The mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation and Young’s modulus), morphology and functional groups involved were studied. The interaction mechanism between the GO and the matrix composites was also proposed. From the mechanical properties analysis, the more GO addition and the longer mixing time, the more tensile strength and Young’s modulus and the less elongation would be. The best tensile strength (4.018 MPa) was exhibited by bioplastic synthesized using 15% graphene oxide and 50 minutes mixing time. The micrograph analysis probed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed that the GO filler in bioplastic synthesized with 50 minutes mixing time has been distributed evenly. The Fourier Transform (FTIR) analysis showed that a good inter-components interaction has been established due to the secondary O-H bonds between the GO and the bioplastic matric components. (paper)