TY  - EJOU
AU  - Shamsuri, Nurrul Asyiqin K. 
AU  - Aziz, Shujahadeen B. 
AU  - Halim, Siti Nadiah 
AU  - Rusdi, Hashlina 
AU  - Kadir, Mohd Fakhrul Zamani 

TI  - Influence of Honey on Structural, Morphology and Thermal Behavior of Zein-Based Polymer Systems
T2  - Journal of Polymer Materials

PY  - 2025
VL  - 42
IS  - 4
SN  - 0976-3449

AB  - 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 (<i>T</i><sub><i>g</i></sub>) 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.
KW  - Honey; zein; plasticizer; crystallinity; morphology

DO  - 10.32604/jpm.2025.070939