Fabrication and characterization of Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) - Coconut Coir (CC) - Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) Biocomposites

Date

6-2024

Academic Strand

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Strand

Adviser

Abriel S. Bulasag

Principal

Buela, Mabel S.

Abstract

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a well-known alternative to traditional plastics with its high biodegradability and similarity in terms of properties with available polymers in the market. However, the production cost of PHB is a huge setback for its large-scale application. In this study, widely available fillers like Coco Coir (CC) and Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) were added as fillers and plasticizers into PHB through solvent casting to reduce the PHB needed to minimize manufacturing costs. Multiple ratios were tested to check which ratio is the most ideal for retaining PHB's biodegradability and homogeneity. A factorial design was used to create different blends containing 2.5% and 7.5% of VCO and 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5% of CC, while regression analyses were used for the results of the contact angle test. Morphological, contact angle, and biodegradability tests found that higher concentrations of VCO have shown a smoother surface, and there are no visible significant differences when comparing concentrations of CC. Ridges were also seen in all the blends in varying intensities, but no noticeable trends with varying components. VCO content has the greatest influence on the visual and mechanical characteristics of the biocomposite blend. In common, most samples that showed most changes in the biodegradability analysis are with high VCO content (7.5%), and increasing VCO content decreases the biocomposites' hydrophobicity. Blend B - 85% PHB, 7.5% VC0, 7.5% CC - was the most ideal blend after morphological tests as it exhibits a smooth surface with smaller ridges and an absence of pores, unlike other blends.

Language

English

LC Subject

Capstone

Location

UP Rural High School

Document Type

Capstone

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