Characterization of Polyvinyl Alcohol based Biodegradable Film Reinforced with Treated Imperata cylindrica (Cogon Grass) Fiber

Abstract

The increasing environmental concerns regarding plastic pollution have driven the development of biodegradable and sustainable alternatives to conventional synthetic polymers. Natural fibers such as Cogon Grass, when combined with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), offer promising potential for producing biodegradable films with enhanced properties. In this study, biodegradable films reinforced with Cogon Grass fibers were synthesized using the casting method. Characteristics of the biodegradable film prepared were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Three analyses were conducted: biodegradation test, water absorption test, and mechanical properties test to study the effect of fiber loading in untreated and treated films. Increased cellulose fiber loading and alkaline treated fiber resulted in a reduction of the intensity of -OH peak in the film. SEM results compared the surface morphology of the control and T-5 film, where heterogeneous surface and void formation were observed. Faster biodegradation was observed in the film with high fiber loading and the film with treated fiber. The lowest water absorption percentage of 142.68 % was observed at the treated film with 5 % concentration of Cogon Grass fiber (T-5). In terms of mechanical properties, significant increase in strength were obtained with fiber loading, reaching a maximum tensile strength of 8.119 MPa for T-5 film. As fiber loading increased, tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the film increased while elongation at break decreased. Overall, the findings demonstrated that Cogon Grass could serve as a sustainable reinforcement for PVA-based films, offering a biodegradable material with enhanced strength and environmental benefits.