Incidencia del óxido de grafeno en las propiedades mecánicas de las láminas de plástico biodegradable de camote (ipomoea batatas)

Abstract

In this curricular integration work, physicochemical and microbiological tests were carried out for both starch and raw material, from which results were obtained for pH of 6.69 and 6.13; the viscosity values obtained were 1476.33 and 48.97 cP (centipoises); for ash of 0.1197% and 2.375%, for the solubility test 8.567 and 28.984 respectively and, finally, the gelatinization temperature for starch was 67.67 °C. Through experimentation and statistical analysis of the results obtained, an optimal formulation was defined to produce bioplastic from sweet potato starch and the addition of graphene oxide with the following characteristics: starch 2 g; glycerin 1.2 g and graphene oxide 0.8 ml. These biodegradable plastic sheets obtained through their characterization based on INEN 2635 and ASTM D1653-93 standards in terms of permeability gave a value of 4.6269 mm g/m^2h as a maximum value. For the mechanical improvements of the bioplastic with graphene oxide, it was valued that there was a maximum stress of 0.79 Mpa (Megapascals), while the work without graphene oxide indicated 0.72 Mpa, so there was a slight difference from one to the other. The economic feasibility of replacing petroleum-derived plastics with bioplastics to produce one square meter of sheet resulted in an investment of $1.67, while in petroleum byproducts it oscillates around $8 per square meter, which is an indicator that it is economically feasible. In conclusion, the improvements that are presented in all aspects of bioplastic over petroleum-derived plastic are optimal and feasible. Therefore, it is recommended to apply the formulation with graphene oxide if it is decided to make bioplastic replace traditional plastic.