Corn Cob Ash Reinforced Pectin‐Based Biocomposites

Abstract

Synthetic polymers have made advances in terms of their flexibility and other properties but a major problem still exists when it comes to their poor biodegradability and lack of conservation. To overcome this problem, the biocomposites are widely used for wide range of applications. Crop residues (CRs) from agriculture can be utilized to make items like biodegradable components; however, they are hard to recycle or dispose of. The aim is to use corn cob ash (CCA), which is generated by calcination of corn cob (CC) in a pectin matrix to create a biocomposites. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX) show the major compounds present in the CCA are silica, potassium, calcium, and many other inorganic compounds. In this research, a solution casting method is used to fabricate pectin/CC biocomposite films. By increasing the content of the CCA, the moisture content will decrease, contact angle and hardness properties are increased. However, increasing CCA content promotes the color change of pectin/CC biocomposite films and water absorption increases. The composite films are analyzed for biodegradation study. The FTIR, morphological, mechanical property, XRD, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) studies are used to evaluate the biocomposite films.