Incidencia de la adición de óxido de grafeno en el mejoramiento de las propiedades mecánicas del bioplástico obtenido de jengibre (Zingiber officinale)

Abstract

The aim of the research was to evaluate the incidence of graphene oxide in the improvement of the mechanical properties of the bioplastic obtained from ginger (Zingiber officinale). First, the starch was obtained through the wet method with the best performance shown and was characterized according to the limits established by the FAO (United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture), which allowed identifying that it was suitable for the production of biodegradable plastic. On the other hand, the synthesis of obtaining graphene oxide was carried out with a yield of 74,831%. A totally random factorial design was used to identify the optimal amount of addition of the compound in the composition of the plastic sheet, where an evaluation of a total of six treatments was obtained. To assess the product obtained, physical and mechanical tests were carried out, where the thickness was less than 0,15 mm, the maximum displacement of 4,901 mm and the maximum deformation of 12,253% corresponding to treatment four. Finally, the degradability tests were carried out in three different media that were: water, soil and environment, where the maximum degradation on land was 63,483%, in a time biodegradable plastics that are within the established limit, in water 47,725% and in the environment 20,090%, therefore when conducting a study of the results obtained the improvement in the mechanical properties of the bioplastic is evidenced, for its applicability in various industries. It is recommended to investigate the application of the other additives in the production of bioplastics to improve the other tensile properties.