Radiation processing of indigenous natural polymers. Properties of radiation modified blends from sago-starch for biodegradable composite

Research and development on biodegradable polymer blends and composites have gained wider interest to offer alternative eco-friendly products. Natural polysaccharide such as sago-starch offers the most promising raw material for the production of biodegradable composites. The potential of sago, which is so abundant in Malaysia, to produce blends for subsequent applications in composite material, was evaluated and explored. Blends with various formulations of sago starch and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) polymers were prepared and subjected to radiation modification using electron beam irradiation. The effect of irradiation on the sago and its blends was evaluated and their properties were characterized. The potential of producing composite from sago blends was explored. Foams from these blends were produced using microwave oven while films were produced through casting method. The properties such as mechanical, water absorption, expansion ratio, and biodegradability were characterized and reported in this paper. (author)