Synthesis and characterization of bioplastic based on chitosan-urea-bentonite

Consumption of synthetic plastic made the level of plastic waste in the world become massive problem in environment. Biopolymer is an alternative which produced from renewable material with an abundant amount in the world. This study aimed to produce bioplastic materials based on chitosan and bentonite, with addition of urea. The method in this research consisted of bentonite preparation, synthesis bioplastics and characterization. Characterization in this research include FTIR, XRD, mechanical strength, and biodegradation. The result in this research showed that the addition of bentonite increased tensile strength of bioplastic. The more bentonite added in the bioplastic system, the higher tensile strength value. The addition of 0,1; 0,5; and 1 g bentonite made the tensile strength of bioplastic increased become 4.17; 4,28; and 4.90 MPa. Whereas the addition of 2 g bentonite decreased the tensile strength of bioplastic become 2.69 MPa, as the structure which formed in bioplastic was exfoliation which was strengthen from XRD pattern. Biodegradation test showed that bioplastic contained of 2 g bentonite has the fastest time to perfectly lose in the soil which only 12 days.