FABRICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF STARCH BASED BIOPLASTICS WITH PALM OIL ADDITION

In this work, starch-based bioplastics in advancing its properties were positively arranged with the addition of palm oil. Starch-based bioplastics were produced by dry blending method and compression technique with mixing starch and glycerol (3:1, w/w) then adding palm oil at various concentration (0%, 2.5%, 5% and 7.5% w/w). Morphology of bioplastics presented that palm oil wrapped bioplastics granules which influenced hydrophobicity properties of bioplastics compared by increasing contact angle of bioplastics from 45.950 (0% of palm oil) to 61.980 (5% of palm oil). This result indicated that the addition of palm oil could develop the properties of bioplastics to hold absorbing water molecules. Moreover, the melting point of bioplastics also affected shifting temperature from 1150 C to be 1000 C that could save the energy needed during heating process. FTIR analysis showed that C=O group at wavenumber 1747 cm-1 was dependable the interaction between starch-glycerol and palm oil. Furthermore, the addition of palm oil would accelerate the biodegradation process. Although the mechanical properties of bioplastics have not increased, the addition of palm oil on bioplastics fabrication is an alternative to improve the characteristic of bioplastics, especially physical, thermal, hydrophobicity and biodegradation properties

Preparation and characterization of biomass-derived advanced carbon materials for lithium-Ion battery applications

In this study, carbon-based advanced materials for lithium-ion battery applications were prepared by using soybean waste-based biomass material, through a straightforward process of heat treatment followed by chemical modification processes. Various types of carbon-based advanced materials were developed. Physicochemical characteristics and electrochemical performance of the resultant materials were characterized systematically. Scanning electron microscopy observation revealed that the activated carbon and graphene exhibits wrinkles structures and porous morphology. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) revealed that both activated carbon and graphene-based material exhibited a good conductivity. For instance, the graphene-based material exhibited equivalent series resistance value of 25.9 Ω as measured by EIS. The graphene-based material also exhibited good reversibility and cyclic performance. Eventually, it would be anticipated that the utilization of soybean waste-based biomass material, which is conforming to the principles of green materials, could revolutionize the development of advanced material for high-performance energy storage applications, especially for lithium-ion batteries application