Photodegradation study of TiO₂-organoclay modified acetate cellulose bioplastic

Biodegradable cellulose acetate films have been synthesized using TiO₂ modified organobentonite as nanofiller. The aim of titania addition is to add photocatalyst to the biocomposite, so it has self-photodegradation properties. Organobentonite was prepared from Tapanuli bentonite, previously purification and Na⁺-exchanged, modified with cationic surfactant hexadceyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMABr). The composition of bioplastic cellulose acetate was 7 wt.% organobentonite and certain amount of TiO₂ (0 wt.%, 1 wt.%, 3 wt.%, 5 wt.%, 10 wt.%) of the total composite weight. Fabrication of nanocomposite film was carried out using acetone as solvent and through solvent casting method. FTIR analysis showed the intercalation with surfactant was successfully carried out, indicated by new absorption band at 2636 cm^-1 and 2569 cm^-1. Nanocomposite application in photodegradation test was carried out under direct sunlight irradiation, UV light, and without irradiation for thirty days. It is found that the greater the amount of TiO₂ added into the composites, the more weight loss occurred due to photodegredation. Percent weight loss in the UV light irradiation are 4.02%, 13.45%, 18.66%, 22.35%, 27.86%, respectively for (TiO₂ 0 wt.%, 1 wt.%, 3 wt.%, 5 wt.%, 10 wt.%). While for bioplastic irradiated by direct sunlight, the weight loss was 2.15%, 8.49%, 13.85%, 14.70%, 15.02%, respectively. In contrast, without irradiation, the weight reduction of bioplastic was insignificant. The results indicate that the addition of TiO₂ to the composition of bioplastic has given the ability of self-photodegradation to the composite.