@Article{jpm.2025.070939,
AUTHOR = {Nurrul Asyiqin K. Shamsuri, Shujahadeen B. Aziz, Siti Nadiah Halim, Hashlina Rusdi, Mohd Fakhrul Zamani Kadir},
TITLE = {Influence of Honey on Structural, Morphology and Thermal Behavior of Zein-Based Polymer Systems},
JOURNAL = {Journal of Polymer Materials},
VOLUME = {42},
YEAR = {2025},
NUMBER = {4},
PAGES = {1111--1123},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/jpm/v42n4/65140},
ISSN = {0976-3449},
ABSTRACT = {This study investigates the effects of honey concentration on the crystallinity, morphology, and thermal behavior of zein-based polymer systems, aiming to assess honey’s role as a natural plasticizer. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirmed the presence of strong intermolecular interactions and hydrogen bonding between zein and honey, indicating good miscibility. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns revealed a significant reduction in crystallinity with increasing honey concentration up to 25 wt.%, with the ZH5 (75 wt.% zein-25 wt.% honey) sample exhibiting the smallest crystallite size (4.23 nm), suggesting enhanced amorphous character suitable for ionic mobility. Field emission scanning electron micrograph (FESEM) images of ZH5 displayed a homogeneous porous-fiber-like morphology, while excess honey beyond 25 wt.% led to agglomeration and phase separation. Thermal analysis demonstrated improved thermal stability for ZH5, with a higher decomposition temperature and greater residual mass. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed a single glass transition temperature (Tg) for ZH5 at 88.4°C, indicating good miscibility between honey and zein materials. These findings identify 25 wt.% honey as the optimal concentration for plasticization, modifying zein’s structure and enhancing its amorphous nature and thermal resilience. The results highlight the potential of honey as a sustainable and multifunctional plasticizer for the development of biodegradable and eco-friendly polymer electrolyte systems.},
DOI = {10.32604/jpm.2025.070939}
}