Physiochemical Profiling of Bioplasticizer Derived from Ficus Benghalensis Leaves for Eco-Friendly Applications

Abstract

Ficus benghalensis is a tree belonging to the Moraceae family, reaching a height of 20–30 m and featuring branches that spread out widely, along with roots that grow in the air. F. benghalensis leaf cellulose (FBLC) is a type of biodegradable plasticizer with a restricted range of uses. Using pyrolysis and chemical reactions, this research aimed to produce a biodegradable plasticizer from natural sources. Once extracted, microscopic investigations evaluated the plasticizer's suitability for use in lightweight packaging. The prominent Fourier transform infrared peaks ranging from 644 to 1124 cm?1 indicated the presence of C–Cl and C–F bonds. Additionally, the peak at 1524 cm?1 corresponds to the C–OH stretching in FBLC plasticizer, which is an organic molecule. The thin, downward UV peak indicated the presence of lignin or hemicelluloses. A strong transmission peak was observed at wavelengths of 240 and 366.34 nm. The FBLC plasticizers could be responsible for the size variations seen in the XRD view. The presence of a prominent thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) peak at an angle of 2? = 28.35° indicated that the plasticizers had a significant enhancement on its crystalline properties. The material exhibits thermal stability up to a temperature of 271 °C. The FBLC plasticizer's kurtosis (Rku) value ranged from 13.44 to 15.74, with a maximum value of 15.74 generating spikes on the produced surface and a minimum value of 13.44 skewing atomic force microscopy data. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed the presence of micro-sized fillers, plasticizers particles, rough surfaces on the fillers, and well-matched rough surfaces. The EDX test confirmed that the FBLC was free from any elemental impurities and showed a high level of purity. The Rq or Rrms value of FBLC surface roughness, measured at 48.28 ?m, represented the square root of amplitudes relative to the midline. A significant reduction at 71.76 °C demonstrated the main thermal transition of the biopolymer, also known as the glass transition temperature of FBLC. In summary, the research findings suggested that bioplasticizers are a viable substitute for synthetic chemicals commonly used in the lightweight packaging industry. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.