Effect of Chitosan on Mechanical Properties and Thermal Properties of Reprocessed PBSA Biodegradable Film

Abstract

This research was to study the effect of chitosan in polybutylene succinate-coadipate (PBSA) and the number of recycles on the mechanical and thermal properties, as well as antibacterial performance. The antibacterial performance of hybrid materials: chitosan/ PBSA was against both Escherichia coli (E.coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus). Chitosan/ PBSA were mixed and reprocessed by twin screw extruder. The bioplastic compounds were processed into film form by blown film extruder. Adding chitosan 1000 and 2000 ppm did not affect to melt flow index and degradation temperature. Chitosan/ PBSA film cannot show significant functional group of chitosan by ATR-FTIR. Degree of crystallinity was slightly reduced when added chitosan in PBSA. Similarly to mechanical properties, Young’s modulus and tensile strength of chitosan/PBSA was decreased when increase in chitosan content. Impact resistance of PBSA was increased by the addition of 1000 ppm chitosan while it was decreased when 2000 ppm of chitosan was added. The number of recycles affects to melt flow index only. The antibacterial performance was evaluated. Bacterial inhibitions of chitosan/ PBSA were not found in halo test.