Effect of Coconut Coir Characteristics on the Properties of Coir-Reinforced Bioplastic Film

In this modern era, pollution is increasing day by day. Using too many plastics and polymers has disastrous consequences. Many household wastes have been causing problems because plastics tend to produce toxic substances, such as dioxins, when they are burnt. On the other hand, the disposal of plastics in landfills was eventually unsustainable and reduced land resources that fit for other uses of higher societal value. As a solution to this problem, biodegradable bioplastic is studied in this research project. The main objective of this research project is to evaluate the effect of the characterized coconut coir fiber (CC) on the tensile strength of the produced bioplastic film. Moreover, the biodegradability rate, water absorption, and water solubility of produced coconut coir (CC)-reinforced bioplastic film were determined in this study. The biodegradable bioplastic films were produced by using environmentally friendly materials such as glycerol, gelatine, and water. The tensile strength, biodegradability, water absorption, and water solubility were investigated using a control sample (0 wt%) and four characterized CC fibers (powdered fiber, short fiber 2 cm, long fiber 5 and 10 cm) of 10 wt% as a reinforcement material. From the results, the tensile strength, percentage of weight loss, and percentage of water absorption are the highest for powdered (CC) reinforced bioplastic which are 32.6 MPa, 96.4% and 732.5% respectively. However, 10 cm (CC)-reinforced bioplastic has the highest Young’s Modulus (5.025 MPa). Also, 10 cm (CC)-reinforced bioplastic has a TS of (28.3 MPa), biodegradability (92.5%), water absorption (30.3%), and water solubility (− 30.28%). It is deduced that the bioplastic reinforced with powdered coconut coir is the best sample among all samples in this experiment.