Optimization of corn starch/glycerol, acetic acid, and cellulose fibers ratio on biodegradable plastic synthesis by Box–Behnken design (BBD)

Abstract Biodegradable plastic is the preferred alternative to traditional plastic products due to its high degradability, decreased dependence on fossil sources, and decreased global pollution according to the accumulation of traditional plastic. In the current study, the optimization of biodegradable plastic synthesis was studied using biomass reinforcement materials. The reinforcement material is cellulose extracted from sawdust to prepare biodegradable plastic using the casting method. Response surface methodology using Box–Behnken Design is used to optimize the main parameters affecting the tensile strength and elongation at the break of the biodegradable plastic. These parameters are cellulose fiber addition, acetic acid addition, and the mass ratio of glycerol to starch. The maximum tensile strength and elongation were obtained at 4.45 MPa and 5.24%, respectively, using 5% cellulose fiber addition and 11.24% acetic acid addition with a 0.266 w/w glycerol to starch mass ratio. Various analyses were performed on the produced biodegradable plastic, including FTIR, SEM, and thermal stability. The biodegradability of the produced biodegradable plastic after immersing the soil for 10 days was about 90% higher than the traditional plastics. The produced biodegradable plastic has a moisture content of 4.41%, water absorption of 81.5%, water solubility of 24.6%, and alcohol solubility of 0%. According to these properties, the produced biodegradable plastic can be used in different industries as a good alternative to traditional plastics. Graphical Abstract