Fabrication and Characterization Of Poly Lactic Acid (PLA)-Starch Based Bioplastic Composites

Abstract

Abstract In this study, to make a good bioplastic composite, starch-based bioplastic is produced by adding polylactic acid (PLA) to improve its properties. PLA was added into starch-based bioplastic with various concentrations of 0, 3, and 10 wt.%. The extrusion was performed at 90-150 °C and compression moulding process was conducted at 150 °C and pressured at 50 kgf/cm2. Bioplastic composites have been characterized to know its properties. FTIR analysis indicated shifting and increasing spectra of interaction between PLA and starch-based bioplastic. Contact angle and solubility analysis revealed that adding PLA can increase the stability of hydrophobic characteristic and insoluble properties. The combination of PLA and starch-based bioplastic can improve the mechanical properties. In addition, thermal properties of bioplastic composites have a better thermal stability and produce a lower melting point thus the energy needed to melt for bioplastic composites becomes milt as raising PLA composition. The density of bioplastics was in the range of 1.2 - 1.3 g/cm3 that would be good for light bioplastic. The results of this study showed that the combination of starch-based bioplastics and PLA at low concentration (10wt.%) potentially could enhance the properties of bioplastic composites for food packaging.