Abstract

• The present work is concerned with the preparation and characterization of sawdust-derived cellulose based bioplastics. Sawdust was collected from Family Saw Mill, North Okkalapa Township, Yangon Region, Myanmar. The physicochemical properties (such as moisture content, ash content, bulk density, and pH) of sawdust was determined by conventional methods and also characterized by modern techniques such as FT IR, SEM and TG DTA analyses. The cellulose in sawdust powder was prepared by using alkali treatment, bleaching process and hydrolysis method. The yield percent of the cellulose from sawdust powder was 36.6 %. Prepared cellulose was characterized by FT IR, SEM and XRD analyses. Bioplastics were prepared by mixing with various proportions (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 g) of cellulose using 50 mL of water, 2 mL of acetic acid and 0.5 mL of sorbitol as plasticizer. The most favourable conditions for preparing bioplastic namely (SCB 3) was found to be 3 g of cellulose with 0.5 mL of sorbitol and 2 mL of acetic acid, was the most suitable for preparing bioplastic. It was found that the bioplastic (SCB 3) possesses tensile strength (9.40 MPa), elongation at break (45.00 %) and tear strength (56.70 kNm-1 ). The selected bioplastic SCB 3 was characterized by FT IR, SEM and TG DTA analyses. All prepared bioplastics showed a plain, clear, smooth surface, were flexible, and pale yellow in colour. The prepared bioplastics can be used in packaging.