Dieter Rahmadiawan, Hairul Abral, Muhammad Aldi Pratama, Hyun-Joong Kim, Razan Muhammad Railis, Robi Kurniawan, Sri Rizki Putri Primandari, Shih-Chen Shi, Melbi Mahardika
This study investigates the development and characterization of a novel composite material consisting of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) integrated with Uncaria gambir (UG) and zinc oxide (ZnO) as fillers. The synergistic effects of UG and ZnO were investigated, focusing on their ability to enhance the film's properties. UV-vis spectrophotometry demonstrated that the composite film effectively blocked all UV (UV-A and UV-B) and blue light wavelengths. The mechanical properties were significantly enhanced, with tensile strength improving by 56% and elasticity by 38% compared to pure PVA. Additionally, water contact angle measurements showed an increase from 34.4° for pure PVA to 84.4° for the PVA/UG/ZnO composites, indicating a substantial improvement in hydrophobicity, which suggests the potential for extended application in environments where moisture resistance is crucial. These findings illustrate the potential of utilizing natural extracts and metal oxides in polymer composites for applications that require durable and effective protection against photodegradation and environmental factors. This study establishes a foundation for further exploration into biocompatible and environmentally sustainable materials with enhanced protective properties. © 2025 The Author(s)
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang, West Sumatera, 25173, Indonesia; Laboratory of Nanoscience and Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Andalas University, Padang, West Sumatera, 25163, Indonesia; Research Collaboration Center for Nanocellulose, BRIN-Andalas University, Padang, West Sumatera, 25163, Indonesia; Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, South Korea; Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Bioresources, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, South Korea; Department of Industrial Engineering, Institut Teknologi Batam (ITEBA), Batam, Indonesia; Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Malang, Jl. Semarang No. 5, East Java, 65145, Indonesia; Research Center for Biomass and Bioproducts, National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Cibinong, Indonesia
