Synthesis and Characterization of Water Hyacinth Stem (Eichhornia crassipes) Cellulose-Based Degradable Plastic Incorporated with Poly(lactic acid)

Rozanna Dewi; Novi Sylvia; Muhammad Subhan; Medyan Riza; Budhi Santri Kusuma; Aldila Ananda

doi:10.33795/jtkl.v10i2.9997

Authors

Rozanna Dewi Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitas Malikussaleh, Jl. Batam Bukit Indah, Lhokseumawe 24353, Indonesia; Center of Excellence Technology Natural Polymer and Recycle Plastics, Universitas Malikussaleh, Jl. Batam Bukit Indah, Lhokseumawe 24353, Indonesia
Novi Sylvia Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitas Malikussaleh, Jl. Batam Bukit Indah, Lhokseumawe 24353, Indonesia; Center of Excellence Technology Natural Polymer and Recycle Plastics, Universitas Malikussaleh, Jl. Batam Bukit Indah, Lhokseumawe 24353, Indonesia
Muhammad Subhan Department of Entrepreneurship, Universitas Malikussaleh, Jl. Irian Bukit Indah, Lhokseumawe 24353, Indonesia
Medyan Riza Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Jl. Kopelma Darussalam, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
Budhi Santri Kusuma Department of Industrial Engineering, Universitas Medan Area, Jl. Kolam No. 1, Medan 20000, Indonesia
Aldila Ananda Center of Excellence Technology Natural Polymer and Recycle Plastics, Universitas Malikussaleh, Jl. Batam Bukit Indah, Lhokseumawe 24353, Indonesia; Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, Universitas Malikussaleh, Jl. Batam Bukit Indah, Lhokseumawe 24353, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33795/jtkl.v10i2.9997

Keywords:

biodegradability, degradable plastic, mechanical properties, poly(lactic acid), water hyacinth cellulose

Abstract

Plastic pollution drives the urgent need for eco-friendly alternatives. This study successfully synthesized a homogeneous degradable plastic based on water hyacinth stem cellulose (WHSC) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA). The research method consisted of several stages, namely the preparation of cellulose from WHSC (including pre-delignification and delignification), the formulation of the degradable plastic, and characterization of the resulting material. FTIR analysis confirmed successful blending through hydrogen bonds (–OH) and carbonyl groups (C=O) interactions. This synergy yielded high thermal stability (Tonset) = 342.43°C), ensuring safe processing at 180–200°C. An optimal formulation of 1.5 g WHSC and 7 g PLA significantly enhanced mechanical properties, achieving a tensile strength of 10.993 MPa and an elongation of 84.10%, while minimizing water swelling to 5.3%. Despite a Young’s modulus below pure PLA due to interfacial bonding limitations, this optimal degradable plastic demonstrated accelerated biodegradability and holds great potential for commercial eco-friendly material applications.

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