Pembuatan dan Karakterisasi Plastik Biodegradable Nanoserat Selulosa Tanda Kosong Kelapa Sawit Menggunakan Plasticizer Gliserol

Abstract

Research has been conducted on the production and characterization of biodegradable plastics based on cellulose nanoscale fibers derived from empty palm fruit bunches (TKKS) with the addition of chitosan and glycerol as plasticizers. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential use of TKKS as a source of cellulose nanoscale fiber raw material and to analyze the physical, mechanical, and chemical characteristics of the resulting biodegradable plastics. The manufacturing process was carried out using the solvent casting method with a composition ratio of 5 grams of cellulose nanoscale fibers and chitosan. The biodegradable plastic underwent a series of tests, including thickness, density, water absorption, tensile strength, elongation at break, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and biodegradation tests. The study produced cellulose nanofibers measuring 0.03581 μm with a minimum tensile strength of 0.5355 MPa in samples using 100% glycerol plasticizer and a maximum tensile strength of 2.2149 MPa in samples using 80% glycerol plasticizer with the highest elongation value of 35.59%. The water absorption values obtained ranged from 79.79% to 193.29%, with the highest biodegradation reaching 95.03% in samples using 80% glycerol for 17 days and an average mass decrease of 57.39% per three days. The FTIR analysis results show the presence of –OH, –NH₂, C–H, C=O, C–O–C, and C–O functional groups originating from the components of biodegradable plastic, namely cellulose nanoscale, chitosan, and glycerol. The presence of these groups indicates that the structure of the resulting biodegradable plastic is stable.