Isolation and characterization of biomass waste based bioplasticizer from Eucalyptus leaf: A suitability analysis of biofiller for polymeric composites
Indran Suyambulingam, Sunesh Narayanaperumal, Femiana Gapsari, Divya Divakaran, P. Senthamaraikannan, G. Rajeshkumar, Mohamad Zaki Hassan
Abstract
• Eucalyptus leaf plasticizer extracted via solvent purification, surface catalysis. • Plasticizer's density: 0.941 g/cm³; molecular weight: 340. • UV analysis shows absorption similar to glycerol and glycols. • SEM and EDX analyses reveal morphology and elemental composition. • Glass transition temperature found to be 64.17°C. Plasticizers improve polymeric materials' properties and processability as additives. Currently, a variety of liquid synthetic plasticizers derived from fossil fuels are available. The environmental unsuitability of these materials could potentially lead to adverse effects on the environment. When we compare solid and liquid plasticizers, we find an infinite variety of liquid plasticizers. As a result, our work focuses on the extraction of plasticizer from plant sources. Accordingly, the plasticizer is extracted from eucalyptus leaves via solvent purification and surface catalysis. Research was conducted utilizing X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and Ultraviolet (UV) visible spectroscopy to determine the characteristics of plasticizer. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrum (EDS) analysis are used to analyze the surface morphology of the isolated plasticizer. The plasticizer's UV examination reveals active absorption at 375.21 nm. The plasticizer was determined to have a lower density of 0.941 g/cm3. The plasticizer that was extracted had a low solubility in water and organic solvents while possessing an estimated molecular weight of 340. The glass transition temperature of plasticizer was also examined using differential scanning electron microscopy analysis and found to be 64.17°C. The crystallinity index and size were found to be 34.08% and 28.57 nm, respectively. The characteristic features obtained were well-suited for use as filler in polymer composite materials.