Synthesis and Characterization of a Biodegradable and Robust Film Using Gracilarialichenoides and Sargassumhorneri for Packaging Applications

Abstract

In this study, a biodegradable and mechanically robust film was synthesized using seaweeds (Gracilarialichenoides and Sargassumhorneri), and its physicochemical and mechanical properties were characterized. In addition, its applicability in the packaging area was studied. A synthetic process including cleaning, drying, softening, pulping, and forming was developed. The microscopic morphology of the developed biodegradable film was similar to wood-based paper. In order to characterize its chemical composition and structure, FE-SEM, FT-IR, GC-MS, and TGA analyses have been performed. In addition, an aerobic biodegradability test was performed in accordance with ISO 14855-1:2012. From those experimental studies, it was shown that the major ingredient of the developed material is cellulose and other bio-originated organic substances. The developed seaweed-based film has excellent biodegradability which is 17 times higher than biodegradable polybutylene succinate (PBSe, hereafter) film, and seven times higher than other seaweed-based film in literature. The tensile strength of the film was enhanced by more than 40% compared with other seaweed-based film of previous studies. A hazardous material test was conducted in accordance with IEC62321, and the result indicated that all of the concerned toxic material was estimated to be under the method detection limit (MDL). Based on the aforementioned results, a prototype egg carton was successfully developed in accordance with ISO 534.