Synthesis of Cassava Bagasse Starch-Based Biocomposite Reinforced Woven Bamboo Fibre with Lime Juice as Crosslinker and Epoxidized Waste Cooking Oil (EWCO) as Bioplasticizer

An alternative available huge source of biocomposite matrix can be found in cassava bagasse regard with high amount of starch content and low protein. It can be reinforced by bamboo fiber. The objectives of this paper are to observe the optimum condition of woven bamboo fibre pattern confirmed by mechanical assessment. The research was conducted by bamboo fiber treatment, epoxidized waste cooking oil and cassava bagasse starch preparation as plasticizer and crosslinker respectively, and biocomposite preparation by different woven pattern, i.e. plain, twill, and random. The results showed that optimum condition of biocomposite could be achieved at plain woven bamboo fibre, 0.25 %v/v of lime juice, and 0.75 %v/v of EWCO with tensile strength of 38.49 MPa. It was considered that random pattern had lowest mechanical property. The effect of lime juice denoted increase tensile strength significantly at beginning. However, plasticizer resulted maximum tensile strength at 0.75 %v/v.