Public demand for environmentally friendly packaging material especially in food industry is increasing. One of the many solutions invented for this problem is the development of biodegradable plastic. Biopolymer can be mixed with synthetic polymer to produce biodegradable films with properties suitable for varying applications. This study examines the mechanical physical properties of Chlorellapolyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based bioplastic by pre-treating the Chlorella powder with ultrasonic homogenizer. Variation of Chlorella concentration and temperature was done during the ultrasonication. Before being used as bioplastic base, pre-treated Chlorella with different concentrations were equated. Bioplastic films were then prepared with the pre-treated Chlorella powder and PVA using solvent casting method. Mechanical physical properties of the pre-treated Chlorella films then compared with non pretreated Chlorella film as control. Mechanical test shows the increasing of bioplastic tensile strength up to 15,3 kgf/cm2 and elongation percentage up to 99,63%. Field emission scanning electron microscopy test shows the increasing of bioplastic homogenity and smoother surface with less pores. Fourier transform infrared analysis shows that there are crosslinkages between Chlorella and PVA. Thermal analysis by thermogravimetric analysis shows ultrasonication creates a more compact linkages. The performance of the film could suggest its potential as an eco-sustainable food packaging plastic material.
Plastics that are widely used today are still made of synthetic polymers that are difficult to degrade by soil microorganisms. The development of natural polymer such as protein blend with synthetic polymer for bioplastic manufacturing continues. This study will utilize Spirulina platensis blended with synthetic polymers with heating and sonication as pre-treatment to optimize the characteristic. In this research, 2.5 g of Spirulina platensis powder dissolved in alkali and distillate water with pH variation of 7, 8.5, 10, and 11, then plasticized by glycerol and heating at 70oC with heating time variation of 30, 60, and 120 minutes. After that, blending with 2.5 g polyvinyl alcohol. Mixed solution then dried and formed as flex bar. Based on the results of solvent pH variation, the degree of acidity of the best solvent to produce optimum mechanical properties is a solvent with a pH of 10. The best heating time to produce optimum mechanical properties is 60 minutes at a solvent pH above 8.5. If using a solvent pH below 8.5, the best heating time is 120 minutes. Degree of solvent acidity is the most influential parameter on the bioplastic mechanical properties of Spirulina-PVA while the heating time has no significant effect.
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