Project Name : Green plastics from banana peel
Theme Name : Natural Resource & their Conservation
Objective/Aim: Using banana peels in the production of green-plastic as a replacement of the traditional petroleum based plastic.
Scientific Principle Involved: The bio-plastic is a material which has the potential or causing a biological reform by means of reducing the amount of pollution caused by other plastic materials which contain petroleum derivatives.
Material Used: Banana Peel; Stainless Steel Knife; Sodium Metabisulfite (Na2S2O5); Propane-1, 2, 3- triol; Hydrochloric Acid (HCl); Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH); Beakers, Bunsen Burner; Glass Stirring Rod; Oven; Petri Dish; Gauze pad; Spring Scale; Glass Pipette; Blender.
Working Investigation/Findings:
The banana fruit’s peel was selected for this experiment because it is a waste material rich in starch.
Method/Testing and Redesign
A large variety of pilot experiments were done in order to establish the effects of placing the banana peels in 0.5% Na2S2O5 solution, using different concentrations of HCl and NaOH, using different amounts of banana paste, on the quality of the plastic produced. The following 2 experiments were selected and were repeated four times:
1. Dipping the banana peels in 0.5% Na2S2O5 solution prior to the boiling and pureeingprocesses and using 0.1M HCl and NaOH solutions in the production of the plastic.
2. Dipping the banana peels in 0.5% Na2S2O5 solution prior to the boiling and pureeing processes and using 0.5M HCl and NaOH solutions in the production of the plastic.
These treatments were selected based on the quality of the plastic produced by means of thickness, strength and shelf life.
Results:
Trial 1: Banana peels boiled and blended the boiling water was not removed.
Qualitative Data (For the Experimental Group which contained 0.1M HCl and NaOH):
Plastic has formed, however it is extremely fragile.
The layer of plastic is very thin (the thickness cannot be measured).
There is less mixture than the amount that was put into the dish.
The plastic started to decay after 1 day.
Trial 2: Banana peels boiled and blended the boiling water was removed.
Qualitative Data (For both Experimental Groups which contained 0.5M or 0.1M HCl and NaOH):
Plastic has formed, and it has passed the strength test. It is much thicker than trial 1. However, the plastic has started to decay after 3 days. It has acquired a darker colour and a sharp scent. It has also lost its strength and has become much more fragile.
Trial 3: Banana peels were dipped in 0.5% Na2S2O5 solution prior to the boiling and blending process, the boiling water was removed and 20ml of the banana peel paste was used.
Qualitative Data (For both Experimental Groups which contained 0,5M or 0,1M HCl and NaOH):
Plastic has formed, however it is extremely fragile.
The layer of plastic is very thin. The 20ml of banana paste seems to have not been enough for the plastic to be thicker (the thickness cannot be measured).
Trial 4: Banana peels were dipped in 0.5% Na2S2O5 solution prior to the boiling and blending process, the boiling water was removed and 25ml of the banana peel paste was used.
Qualitative Data (For both Experiment Groups which contained 0.5M or 01.M HCl and NaOH):
Plastic has formed, and it has passed the strength test. It is much thicker than trial 1 and 3. It has not shown any signs of decay for 30 days and counting. No change in strength has been recorded as well.
Name of the School: Ambuja Vidya Niketan, Maharastra.
