Synthesis of Rice Husk Silica PVA Xerogel Film as Food Temperature Insulator
Yusmaniar, Intan fadia Andani, Futi Kusuma, Afrizal

universitas Negeri Jakarta

Abstract

Temperature fluctuations during storage and transportation are among the leading causes of food degradation, promoting microbial growth, reducing product quality, and increasing the risk of foodborne illness. This study aims to develop a sustainable and thermally insulating packaging film based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) reinforced with silica xerogel synthesized from rice husk ash, an abundant agricultural waste. Silica xerogel was synthesized via the sol-gel method using rice husk ash reacted with an alkaline solution under controlled conditions. The resulting gel was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis. Packaging films were fabricated by the solution casting method with varying silica xerogel concentrations, and a plasticizer was added to improve flexibility. The film containing 3% silica xerogel exhibited the highest tensile strength (25.27 MPa) and demonstrated improved thermal insulating behavior. Higher silica xerogel content led to slower environmental degradation rates. Application tests showed the film effectively maintained the physical integrity of chocolate, confirming its insulating capability. The PVA/silica xerogel composite film presents a promising solution for eco-friendly thermal insulation packaging, combining mechanical strength, thermal performance, and environmental sustainability. Its development highlights the valorization of rice husk ash into functional packaging materials.

Keywords: bioplastic,biodegradable, packaging film, PVA, silica xerogel. rice husk ash

Topic: Medical Physics and Biophysics