Analysis on the barrier properties of thin film PLA/PBAT reinforced with microcrystalline cellulose

Abstract

In recent times, awareness on plastic pollution had increase which brings innovation on new productions to be environmental friendly. Various polymers has been used to analyse the suitability to produce thin films. In this study, Poly lactic acid (PLA) and Polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) reinforced with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) were investigated. MCC were produced from selected bamboo for obtaining cellulose, then followed by an acidic hydrolysis process for the processing of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). In this study, the thin film are focusing on the barrier properties such as water absorption, solvent resistance and absorption test. From the results shows that, the lowest rate of water absorption rate is 1.9% by 1% B-MCC/PLA/PBAT, meanwhile, the highest rate of water absorption is 60.1% by 5% C-MCC/PLA/PBAT. The water absorption rate decrease gradually with the decreasing of amount of MCC in the samples. Lastly, the thin film samples can resist with oleic acid solvents as the condition of thin film samples is still remain but they were not resistance with xylene as the thin film samples were shrinked and degraded. This thin film have a potential to replace the non-biodegradable petrochemical polymer based on their properties such as food contact, availability and cost.