Physico-Mechanical Properties of Starch-Based Nanocomposite Film Incorporated with Hydrothermally Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

Abstract

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were successfully prepared by hydrothermal method at low temperatures (80°C) for 2 hours using zinc nitrate as starting materials. The average size of hydrothermally synthesized ZnO-NPs were comparable with commercial one as confirmed by Particle Size Analyzer (PSA). The incorporation of hydrothermally synthesized ZnO-NPs (0.5% and 1%, w/w) and glycerol as plasticizer (20%, w/w) into tapioca starch film significantly reduce water absorption capacity and water vapor transmission rate while increasing tensile strength and elongation at break of the composite film. These results suggest that hydrothermally synthesized ZnO-NPs have the potential as nanofiller to improve the physical and mechanical properties of biobased film.