SYNTHESIS OF COBALT STEARATE AS PRO-OXIDANT ADDITIVE FOR APPLICATION OF POLYPROPYLENE (OXO-BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS)

• Main Author: LESTARI (NIM : 10508042); Pembimbing : Prof. Dr. I Made Arcana, SEPTIANINGTYAS
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/17201
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Cobalt stearate as a pro-oxidant additive can be applied to the oxo-biodegradable polypropylene (PPOx) to increase the biodegradability of polymers. The degradation process <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> in oxo-biodegradable polymers occurs in two stages, namely an oxidation and a biodegradation UV radiation or heat; this will initiate the catalytic property of cobalt stearate additive on polypropylene, then it followed by a biodegradation process catalyzed by enzymes derived from microorganisms of activated sludge. In this study aims to synthesis the cobalt stearate as a pro-oxidant additive and to determine the effect of cobalt stearate on polypropylene characteristics after exposed UV radiation, including the biodegradability of polypropylene in activated sludge. To know the characteristics of polypropylene is carried out by analysis of functional groups by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal analysis by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), analysis of % weight loss of <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> polymers by analytical balance, surface analysis by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and analysis of mechanical properties by Tensile tester. The spectrum of FTIR for cobalt stearate shows the absorption peak at 1553,69 cm-1 indicating the interaction between the <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> carboxylate to the cobalt metal. The FTIR spectra in PPOx films shows the increase in the intensity of absorption peak of C=O and CH2 groups at 1715 cm-1 and 1456 cm-1, <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> respectively by increasing the cobalt stearate content in the polypropylene. The longer the UV radiation is given, then the PPOx film becomes more fragile indicated by the decrease in the stress and elongation of polypropylene. This result was supported by analysis surface of polypropylene by SEM; the polypropylene surface shows the existence of cavities and fractures after exposed by UV radiation. In addition, after the biodegradation process <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> indicates the presence of % weight loss of PPOx films, and this is more increasing by increasing the cobalt stearate ratio in polymer and also the longer incubation time.