SYNTHESIS AND MODELING OF LACTIDE USING SN(OCT)2 FOR POLY LACTIC ACID-NANOCOMPOSITE PRODUCTION

• Main Author: Septri Hana, Naya
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Subjects: Teknik kimia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/54713
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

One of the plastic alternatives to commercial plastic replacement is PLA due to its easy-to-form, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly nature. However, pure PLA has limitations of mechanical properties. To improve the quality and properties of plastic, it is necessary to make modifications with the addition of fillers to the PLA. The research was divided into four stages, namely the synthesis of lactide from lactic acid, the synthesis of Sn(Oct)2 catalysts, the PLA synthesis of lactide by the method of polymerization of ring opening, and the manufacture of PLA/bentonite nanocompoites. Modeling using Aspen Plus was carried out for the process of lactide synthesis, ROP synthesis, and the manufacture of PLA/bentonite nanocomposites. The synthesis of lactide carried out in two stages (oligomerization and continued depolymerization) can produce a greater yield (36.8%) than one-stage lactide synthesis (5.2-9%). The yield is not much different from the modeling result, which is 36.97%. Analysis of Sn(Oct)2 synthesis results showed similarities to commercial catalysts, but FTIR tests showed the presence of octanoic acid and water in synthesis catalysts. Synthesis catalysts are used for PLA synthesis and produce PLA yield of 5.95% with a molecular weight of 78135 g/mol, smaller than ROP with commercial Sn(Oct)2 catalysts resulting in a PLA yield of 66% and a molecular weight of 129757 g/mol. Modeling PLA synthesis resulted in a yield of 66% and molecular weight of PLA 195762 g/mol. The addition of bentonite fillers lowers the viscosity of the mixture. Modeling results showed the addition of 5% bentonite filler will lower the viscosity of the mixture from 15.9 Pa.s to 10.75 Pa.s.