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Effect of Glycerin and Urea on the Synthesis of Potato and Cassava Starch-Based Biopolymers: Hardness, Micrography, and Thermogravimetric Analyses
Efecto de la glicerina y la urea en la síntesis de biopolímeros a base de almidón de papa y yuca: análisis de dureza, micrografía y termogravimetría
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15446/ing.investig.109002Keywords:
Biopolymers, Glycerin, Urea, Starch, TGA, Hardness, Micrograph (en)Biopolímeros, Glicerina, Urea, Almidón, TGA, Dureza, Micrografía (es)
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Petroleum-derived polymers used in everyday products generate large amounts of waste and negative environmental impacts due to their slow decomposition. To address this issue, other options have been studied, such as biopolymers based on starch, a polysaccharide formed by chains of amylose and amylopectin that can be linked together by heat and water to form a polymeric matrix similar to petroleum-derived plastics. In this study, glycerin and urea were used as plasticizing additives to improve the flexibility of biopolymers. The objective was to expand knowledge on biopolymers and their potential applications as an alternative to petroleum-derived plastics. A quantitative and qualitative factorial experimental design was implemented which consisted of three factors: the percentage of starch type, the percentage of plasticizer type, and the total percentage of plasticizers. Once the biopolymers were synthesized, they were characterized through thermal stability tests using thermogravimetric, hardness, and micrography analysis. The results indicated that glycerin increases the flexibility of the biopolymer, while urea increases its hardness. The working temperature of the biopolymer is below 130 °C, causing no disintegration of the material. In addition, it was identified that the presence of gas inclusions, both internal and superficial, can significantly affect the mechanical properties of the biopolymers. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that starch-based biopolymers with plasticizing additives have the potential to become a viable and sustainable alternative to petroleum-derived plastics in everyday products.
Los polímeros derivados del petróleo que se utilizan en productos de uso cotidiano generan grandes cantidades de residuos y un impacto ambiental negativo debido a su lenta descomposición. Para combatir este problema, se han estudiado otras opciones como los biopolímeros a base de almidón, un polisacárido formado por cadenas de amilosa y amilopectina que pueden enlazarse mediante calor y agua para formar una matriz polimérica similar a los plásticos derivados del petróleo. En este estudio se utilizó glicerina y urea como aditivos plastificantes para mejorar la flexibilidad de los biopolímeros. El objetivo fue ampliar el conocimiento sobre los biopolímeros y sus posibles aplicaciones como alternativa a los plásticos derivados del petróleo. Se implementó un diseño experimental factorial cuantitativo y cualitativo que constaba de tres factores: el porcentaje del tipo de almidón, el porcentaje del tipo de plastificantes y el porcentaje total de plastificantes. Una vez sintetizados los biopolímeros, se caracterizaron mediante ensayos de estabilidad térmica con TGA, dureza y micrografía. Los resultados indicaron que la glicerina aumenta la flexibilidad del biopolímero, mientras que la urea aumenta su dureza. La temperatura de trabajo del biopolímero se encuentra por debajo de los 130 °C, sin generar desintegración en el material. Además, se identificó que la presencia de inclusiones gaseosas, tanto internas como superficiales, puede incidir significativamente en las propiedades mecánicas de los biopolímeros. En conclusión, se demostró que los biopolímeros a base de almidón con aditivos plastificantes tienen el potencial de convertirse en una alternativa viable y sostenible a los plásticos derivados del petróleo en productos de uso cotidiano.
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Copyright (c) 2024 Daniel Nicolas Quintana Mariño, Diana P. Sanabria Chaparro, Hugo Felipe Salazar, Hugo Fernando Castro Silva, Ricardo Alfonso Paredes Roa

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