Pembuatan Bioplastik Dari Pati Ubi Kayu Berpenguat Nano Serat Jerami dan ZnO

Abstract

Production of biodegradable plastic film had been done using cassava starch which serves as a main raw material, distilled water as a solvent, as well as nano fiber straw, ZnO, and a mixture of nano fiber straw and ZnO that function as a reinforcement of bioplastic. Cassava starch was chosen as the raw material for making plastics because of easy to obtain and inexpensive, moreover the use is still very low when compared to other plants that as staple food stuffs, such as rice, corn, potatoes, wheat, and so forth. This research was aimed to make plastics that can reduce the environmental impact by looking at the effect of reinforcing the concentration used for the mechanical properties of the film, water absorption, and the decomposition rate of the plastic. The reinforcer used was nano fibers straw, ZnO, and a mixture of both with a concentration of 1%, 3%, 6%, and 9% of each reinforcer. Testing of mechanical properties (tensile strength and elongation) used the Electronic System Universal Testing Machines, testing of water absorption was done by immersing the film in water for 24 hours, and testing of decomposition rate was done by burying the film into the ground. The results showed the highest tensile strength values was 0.32 kgf/mm2obtained at a concentration of 9% ZnO, whereas the highest percent elongation was 34% obtained at a concentration of 1% nano-fiber straw. The lowest water absorption was 16% obtained at a concentration of 9% ZnO. The highest absorption of water was 27.23% obtained at a concentration of 1% nano-fiber straw and the decomposition process occured for 18-27 days.