The Effect of Etherification Agent on the Mechanical Properties of Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose-based Bioplastic and Its Application As Fruit Packaging

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the optimum conditions of sodium chloroacetate (SCA) as an etherification agent, to obtain sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (SCC) bioplastic with a significant mechanical property. In this study, the SCC has been synthesized and concentration of SCA was optimized. SCC was synthesized through etherification reaction using SCA as etherification agent. The SCC synthesis was carried out in a dry system consisting of alkalization and carboxymethylation steps. SCA optimization was determined based on the levels of SCC and degree of substitution (DS). The synthesis and characterization of SCC bioplastics has also been carried out.The result obtained were SCC with a level of 88% and a degree of substitution of 1.50. The best mechanical properties of bioplastic were shown at 6% SCA concentration with 9.91 MPa tensile strength and 9% elongation. The degradation test result showed that bioplastic experienced a mass reduction of 17.30% over a period of 21 days. SCC bioplastic application as fruit packaging can reduce the mass of citrus fruits by 10.5% for 10 days of storage.

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