Production of Biodegradable Plastic from Biomass

Zidan, Nora; Baraakat, Fatma; Sorour, Manal; Taha, Shakinaz

doi:10.21608/ftrj.2023.289773

Production of Biodegradable Plastic from Biomass

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Cairo University, Faculty of engineering, chemical engineering department

² Chemical Engineering Dept., Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University

³ Food Technology Research Institute, ARC

⁴ Chemical Eng, Dept., Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University

10.21608/ftrj.2023.289773

Abstract

Plastic pollution is one of the most dangerous environmental problems that threaten the world. Conventional plastic doesn’t degrade and tends to end up in seas and land, killing sea animals and polluting soils. Plastics obtained from agricultural wastes and have the ability to degrade, have appeared as possible solution to the conventional plastic problems. However, in order for the biodegradable plastic to substitute the conventional plastic, it must possess similar characteristics in addition to being economically and environmentally attractive. The aim of this paper is to produce durable and degradable plastic from potato peels. The effect of different operating conditions on the characteristics of the produced plastic, including biodegradation behavior, tensile strength and water absorption behavior, were studied. Acetic Acid with amounts of 4, 6 and 8 ml were used proving that the 8 ml acid concentration is the best from biodegradation point of view. Moreover, glycerol of amounts 2,4,6 ml were used, indicating a direct relation between degradation and glycerol amount, as well as, an inverse relation between water absorption and glycerol amount. Reaction temperature as well as drying temperatures were also tested showing that the low temperatures have good effect on enhancing the properties of the produced plastic.

Keywords