This paper reported on properties of sago starch that was compounded with montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay to form biodegradable composites film. The film was fabricated via film casting method with glycerol as a plasticizer. The investigated biocomposites film was prepared at starch-glycerol/MMT weight fraction of 90/10, 85/15, 80/20 and 75/25. The physical properties of the film, namely thickness and density were studied and results show that incorporation of nanoclay as filler affects the biocomposites physical properties. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to analyze the film’s morphological properties and chemical characteristics, respectively. SEM shows that less clay content in the film produces homogenous phase and well dispersed of clay platelets within the starch matrix. FTIR summarizes that MMT nanoclay is able to form hydrogen bonding with starch.

This paper reports on the physical and mechanical properties of the thermoplastic sago starch/kenaf fibre (TPSS/KF) composite. The composite was prepared through a compression molding technique at varying fibre contents of 0, 10, 20 and 30 wt.%, whilst the effect of the fibres incorporation was evaluated by physical and mechanical tests, as well as morphological analysis. Reduction of moisture content and denser composite were achieved with a higher fibre content. Meanwhile, the water absorption of the composite was lower than the thermoplastic with an increase in the kenaf fibre loading. Tensile testing improved strength and modulus with the increase of fibres content until an optimum was reached at 30 wt.% of fiber loading. Morphological analysis showed good wetting between the polymer matrix and fibres that provided the tensile improvement.

Thermoplastic sago starch (TPSS) was produced by plasticizing with glycerol through melt blending before being compression moulded. The investigated TPSS was prepared at glycerol/starch weight fraction of 40/60, 35/65 and 30/70. The functional groups composition, tensile strength, density, moisture content and water absorption were evaluated and compared at different glycerol/starch ratio. The compatibility of the glycerol as the plasticizer in the TPSS was proven by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) where glycerol could form stable hydrogen bond with sago starch. This preliminary study demonstrated that the stress at maximum load was only applicable for lower glycerol/starch ratio of 30/70. The density of TPSS was inversely proportional to the increment of glycerol/starch ratio whereas moisture content and water absorption had opposite relationship.