Manufacture And Characterization Of Biodegradable Starch And Chitosan Plastic With Plasticizer Glycerol
Manufacture and Characterization of Biodegradable Starch and Chitosan Plastic with Plasticizer Glycerol
Introduction
Plastic has become an integral part of modern life, but its excessive use has led to severe environmental problems, particularly plastic pollution that is difficult to decompose. To address this issue, research on biodegradable plastic has gained significant attention. One of the promising raw materials for making biodegradable plastic is starch and chitosan starch. This article discusses the manufacture and characterization of biodegradable starch and chitosan plastic with glycerol as a plasticizer.
The Need for Biodegradable Plastic
The world is facing a severe plastic pollution crisis, with millions of tons of plastic waste entering the environment every year. Conventional plastics are non-biodegradable, meaning they do not break down naturally in the environment. This has led to the accumulation of plastic waste in oceans, rivers, and landfills, causing harm to marine life and ecosystems. Biodegradable plastics, on the other hand, can break down naturally in the environment, reducing plastic waste and its associated environmental problems.
Raw Materials for Biodegradable Plastic
Starch and chitosan are two of the most promising raw materials for making biodegradable plastic. Starch is a natural polymer found in plants, while chitosan is a polysaccharide derived from chitin, a component of crustacean shells. Both starch and chitosan are biodegradable and non-toxic, making them ideal for use in biodegradable plastics.
Manufacturing Process
The manufacturing process for biodegradable starch and chitosan plastic involves heating a mixture of starch, chitosan, and glycerol at a temperature of 80-85 °C and drying it at 60 °C. The best results are obtained in the composition of 40% starch, 60% chitosan, and 80% glycerol. This biodegradable plastic has a tensile value of 20,8902 MPa, thickness of 0.384 mm, elongation 9.7226%, and degraded capability of 85.7%.
Characterization of Biodegradable Plastic
The biodegradable plastic produced in this study was characterized using FT-IR spectroscopy and SEM analysis. FT-IR spectroscopy shows that there is no significant change in the O-H, C-O, and N-H function groups, indicating the physical interaction between starch, chitosan, and glycerol. This means that the biodegradable plastic produced is not through complex chemical reactions, but is formed through bonds between molecules.
However, SEM analysis shows the presence of white points and curves on the surface of the biodegradable plastic. This indicates that the starch has not been completely dissolved in plastic, resulting in an uneven surface.
Development Potentials
Although there are still some deficiencies, the results of this study show the great potential of starch and chitosan as raw materials for making biodegradable plastic. With further development, this biodegradable plastic can be an environmentally friendly solution to replace conventional plastic. Some of the development potentials of this research include:
Optimization of Material Composition
Research can be done to optimize the composition of starch, chitosan, and glycerol to produce biodegradable plastic with better mechanical properties.
Development of Manufacturing Methods
Development of more efficient and environmentally friendly manufacturing methods can be done to increase the scalability of biodegradable plastic production.
Research on Biodegradability
Further research is needed to find out how this biodegradable plastic is degraded in the environment and how quickly the degradation process occurs.
Conclusion
Biodegradable plastic from Pati Porang and Chitosan has the potential to be an effective and sustainable solution for plastic pollution problems. With continuous development, this biodegradable plastic can replace conventional plastic and reduce plastic waste in the environment. Further research is needed to optimize the composition of starch, chitosan, and glycerol, develop more efficient manufacturing methods, and study the biodegradability of this biodegradable plastic.
Future Directions
The development of biodegradable plastic from Pati Porang and Chitosan is a promising area of research that can contribute to the reduction of plastic waste in the environment. Future research can focus on:
- Scaling up production: Developing more efficient and environmentally friendly manufacturing methods to increase the scalability of biodegradable plastic production.
- Improving mechanical properties: Researching ways to improve the mechanical properties of biodegradable plastic, such as tensile strength and elongation.
- Studying biodegradability: Investigating the biodegradability of biodegradable plastic in different environments and studying the degradation process.
- Developing new applications: Exploring new applications for biodegradable plastic, such as packaging, disposable cutlery, and other products.
By addressing the challenges and limitations of biodegradable plastic, researchers can develop a more sustainable and environmentally friendly solution to replace conventional plastic.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Biodegradable Starch and Chitosan Plastic
Q: What is biodegradable plastic?
A: Biodegradable plastic is a type of plastic that can break down naturally in the environment, reducing plastic waste and its associated environmental problems.
Q: What are the raw materials used to make biodegradable plastic?
A: The raw materials used to make biodegradable plastic are starch and chitosan. Starch is a natural polymer found in plants, while chitosan is a polysaccharide derived from chitin, a component of crustacean shells.
Q: How is biodegradable plastic made?
A: Biodegradable plastic is made by heating a mixture of starch, chitosan, and glycerol at a temperature of 80-85 °C and drying it at 60 °C.
Q: What are the benefits of biodegradable plastic?
A: Biodegradable plastic has several benefits, including:
- Reducing plastic waste in the environment
- Reducing the amount of plastic that ends up in oceans and rivers
- Providing a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic
- Reducing the need for fossil fuels to produce plastic
Q: What are the limitations of biodegradable plastic?
A: Biodegradable plastic has several limitations, including:
- Higher cost compared to conventional plastic
- Limited availability of raw materials
- Limited scalability of production
- Limited understanding of biodegradability in different environments
Q: How long does it take for biodegradable plastic to break down?
A: The time it takes for biodegradable plastic to break down depends on several factors, including the type of plastic, the environment, and the presence of microorganisms. However, biodegradable plastic can break down in a matter of weeks or months, compared to conventional plastic which can take hundreds of years.
Q: Can biodegradable plastic be used for packaging?
A: Yes, biodegradable plastic can be used for packaging. In fact, biodegradable plastic is a promising alternative to conventional plastic for packaging applications.
Q: Can biodegradable plastic be used for disposable cutlery?
A: Yes, biodegradable plastic can be used for disposable cutlery. Biodegradable plastic is a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic for disposable cutlery.
Q: Is biodegradable plastic safe for human consumption?
A: Yes, biodegradable plastic is safe for human consumption. Biodegradable plastic is made from natural raw materials and is non-toxic.
Q: Can biodegradable plastic be used for medical applications?
A: Yes, biodegradable plastic can be used for medical applications. Biodegradable plastic is a promising alternative to conventional plastic for medical applications.
Q: What are the future directions for biodegradable plastic research?
A: The future directions for biodegradable plastic research include:
- Scaling up production
- Improving mechanical properties
- Studying biodegradability
- Developing new applications
By addressing the challenges and limitations of biodegradable plastic, researchers can develop a more sustainable and environmentally friendly solution to replace conventional plastic.