DEVELOPMENT OF BIODEGRADABLE PACKAGING WITH IMPROVED HYDROPHOBICITY BY USING NATURAL FIBERS BEING MODIFIED BY POLY LACTIDE AND PALMITIC ACID

The widespread use of single-use packaging materials, particularly food packaging, contributed to plastic waste issues. Consequently, researchers aimed to develop alternative biodegradable packaging in order to reduce plastic waste problems from conventional plastic. The alternative packaging materials were made from fibers deriving from plant weeds being formed into paper sheets and coated with a 0.4% (w/v) polylactide (PLA) and different concentrations of palmitic acids, which were compatibilized by high epoxy group chain extenders. The morphological result showed that good adhesion of the paper made of fibers from the Narrow-leaved cattail was coated with a PLA film and dispersed by micelles of palmitic acid. The FT-IR revealed the chemical interaction between PLA and cellulose fibers on the paper with the presence of epoxide-based reactive agents. The XRD results showed that the crystallinity of cellulose paper was changed when it was composite. The water absorption test, all formulations exhibiting a water absorption time exceeding 2 h, influenced by the presence of palmitic acid. The contact angles were at 125.94±4.24 and 125.34±4.41 degrees, respectively. Additionally, the papers maintained hydrophobic properties for over an hour.