KIU Publications

Packaging one time use plastic garbage possess severe threat to the environment. To address this issue, this study develops and characterizes biodegradable bioplastics films derived from stem starch of Amorphophallus Paeoniifolius with chitosan nano particles as filler material, vinegar as stabilizer and glycerol as plasticizer. The wt% of the chitosan nano particles were varied from 1 wt% to 6 wt% in steps of 1 wt% for each bioplastic films and the films were casted by solution casting technique. The casted bioplastic films were tested for its tensile, physical, morphological, water captivation, water vapour transmission, biodegradability and thermal characteristics. The bioplastic film with 5 wt% of chitosan nano particles possessed maximum functional properties with tensile strength of 4.13 MPa, tensile modulus of 18.63 MPa, elongation at break of 61.03%, thickness of 0.55 mm, solubility of 34.83%, water vapour transmission rate of 5.21 g/m2.h, water absorption of 19.67%, biodegradability of 18.94% in 15 days, density of 1.57 g/cm3 and thermal stability of 148 °C. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy ensures the presence of hydroxyl and carbonyl groups in the bioplastic films. The obtained thermo-mechanical and hydrophilic results of the bioplastic films ensure its usage in packaging applications, offering a viable solution to the global plastic pollution crisis.