Fabrication and Characterization of Biocomposite Membranes from Polycaprolactone and Native Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea L.) Extracted Starch

Abstract

This paper explored the chemical, mechanical, and morphological characteristics ofpolycaprolactone and starch composite membranes by utilizing SEM, FTIR, W-CA, UTM, and biodegradability tests. Native Philippine arrowroot (Marantaarundinacea L.) starch was extracted for the study. Varying polymer concentrations along with 85% solvent NMP, the films were plasticized with PEG 4000 and prepared through solvent casting and NIPS. The films were found to be hydrophilic. Increased starch contentimproved porousnessand biodegradation rate, with 4.12%/day in 5 days for the highest starch-containing film, with the highest weight loss of 38.02% in 15 days for 20% starch-containing films. However, degradation decreased as time went by. Increasing amounts of starch also increased elongation at break, albeit reducing Young’s modulus and tensile strength of the films. Coupled with notable morphological and chemical interaction, arrowroot starch and PCL composite films can indeed be successfully fabricated, proving the potential of Marantaarundinacea L. in the field of bioplastic research.