Effects of Chitosan on the Characteristics of Sorbitol Plasticised Cellulose Acetate/Starch Bioplastics

Abstract

Due to the natural origins of its primary components, such as plant fibers, bioplastics are materials that disintegrate quickly. Typically, plasticizers are used to create cellulose-based bioplastics. Plasticizers soften hard, inflexible structures, improve elasticity and flexibility, and lessen bioplastics' tendency to break. The manufacturing of bioplastics in this study includes the incorporation of chitosan and sorbitol plasticizers as a variable. Chitosan and sorbitol were utilized in the following mass ratios: 0.5 g, 1.0 g, and 20 %, 30 %, and 40 %. The optimal chitosan and sorbitol concentrations produced the most desirable bioplastic properties. At a ratio of 20 % sorbitol and 0.5 g chitosan, the greatest bioplastic value for tensile strength (845.68 kPa) and Young's modulus (67.65 x 102 KPa) was attained. With values of 44.94 % and 81.28 %, respectively, the ratio of 30 % sorbitol to 1 g chitosan produced the best mass and water absorption values. At a ratio of 30 % sorbitol and 0.5 g chitosan at 0.94 g/mL and a ratio of 40 % sorbitol and 1 g chitosan at 1.75 %, the highest density and elongation values were identified.