Introduction of i.p.

Caloocan City Science High School – CCHS Annex 10th Avenue Corner P. Sevilla Steet Caloocan City Division of City Schools Caloocan City

Cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica) as an Effective Component for Biodegradable Plastics

Proponent: Christine R. Manrique G – 14 II – Phloem Submitted to:

Mr. Arturo A. Tolentino

Chapter I

Introduction Background of the Study The researcher have read one article from the internet that says research has been done on biodegradable plastics and found out that it can break with exposure to sunlight such as ultra-violet radiation, water or dampness, bacteria, enzymes, wind abrasion and some instances like rodent pest or insect attack. The idea of improving the qualities of biodegradable plastics has been entered to the researcher. So, the researcher proposed that cogon grass can be an effective component for ideal biodegradable plastics, since cogon grass is frequently used by the people and this study will introduce another important use of cogon grass In the past years, cogon grass was used to build better and stronger houses but nowadays, people have forgotten the uses of cogon grass because of cement and hollow blocks. Plastics are indispensable to our modern way of life. Many people sleep on pillows and mattresses filled with a type of plastic—either cellular polyurethane or polyester. At night, people sleep under blankets and bedspreads made of acrylic plastics, and in the morning, they step out of bed onto polyester and nylon carpets. The cars we drive, the computers we use, the utensils we cook with, the

recreational equipment we play with, and the houses and buildings we live and work in all include important plastic components. The average car contains almost 136 kg (almost 300 lb) of plastics—nearly 12 percent of the vehicle’s overall weight. Telephones, textiles, compact discs, paints, plumbing fixtures, boats, and furniture are other domestic products made of plastics. In 1979 the volume of plastics produced in the United States surpassed the volume of domestically produced steel. Plastics possess a wide variety of useful properties and are relatively inexpensive to produce. They are lighter than many materials of comparable strength and unlike metals and wood, plastics do not rust or rot. Most plastics can be produced in any color. They can also be manufactured as clear as glass, translucent (transmitting small amounts of light), or opaque (impenetrable to light). Plastics consist of very long molecules each composed of carbon atoms linked into chains. One type of plastic, known as polyethylene, is composed of extremely long molecules that each contain over 200,000 carbon atoms. These long, chainlike molecules give plastics unique properties and distinguish plastics from materials, such as metals, that have short, crystalline molecular structures. Although some plastics are made from plant oils, the majority are made from fossil fuels. Fossil fuels contain hydrocarbons (compounds containing hydrogen and carbon), which provide the building blocks for long polymer molecules.

These small building blocks, called monomers, link together to form long carbon chains called polymers. The process of forming these long molecules from hydrocarbons is known as polymerization. The molecules typically form viscous, sticky substances known as resins, which are used to make plastic products. Ethylene, for example, is a gaseous hydrocarbon. When it is subjected to heat, pressure, and certain catalysts (substances used to enable faster chemical reactions), the ethylene molecules join together into long, repeating carbon chains. These joined molecules form a plastic resin known as polyethylene. Joining identical monomers to make carbon chains is called addition polymerization, because the process is similar to stringing many identical

beads

on a string. Plastics made

by addition

polymerization include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polystyrene. Joining two or more different monomers of varying lengths is known as condensation polymerization, because water or other by-products are eliminated as the polymer forms. Condensation polymers include nylon (polyamide), polyester, and polyurethane. Biodegradable plastics are plastics that will decompose in the natural environment. Biodegradation of plastics can be achieved by enabling microorganisms in the environment to metabolize the molecular structure of plastic films to produce an inert humus-like material that is less harmful to the environment. Under proper

conditions biodegradable plastics can degrade to the point where microorganisms can metabolise them. This reduces problems with litter and reduces harmful effects on wildlife. However degradation of biodegradable plastic occurs very slowly, if at all, in a sealed landfill. Proper composting methods are required to efficiently degrade the plastic, which may actually contribute to carbon dioxide emissions. Degradation of oil-based biodegradable plastics may contribute to global warming through the release of previously stored carbon as carbon dioxide. Starch-based bioplastics produced from sustainable farming methods can be almost carbon neutral. Biodegradable plastics cannot be mixed with other plastics when sent for recycling; this damages the recycled plastic and reduces its value. Cogon grass, Imperata cylindrica (L.), has been ranked as one of the ten worst weeds of the world. In tropical and subtropical regions around the globe, this aggressive, rhizomatous perennial is generally considered a pernicious pest plant due to its ability to successfully disperse, colonize, spread, and subsequently compete with and displace desirable vegetation and disrupt ecosystems over a wide range

of

environmental

conditions.

These

characteristics

and

consequences of cogon grass infestations are similarly evident even within the native or endemic range in the Eastern Hemisphere, as it has long been considered one of Southeast Asia’s most noxious weeds

In areas other than closed-canopy forests or plantations, where cogon grass survives poorly due to shading, and heavily cultivated lands, where it is kept in check mechanically, infestations are treated by relatively costly, laborious, and repetitive control measures. Currently the most effective management strategies in the United States have involved integrating mechanical, cultural, chemical, and revegetation

methods.

For

both

economical

and

environmental

reasons, the currently recommended control strategies often are unacceptable, necessitating consideration of some form of classical biological control. There are only a few localized benefits of cogon grass. These include use for thatch, forage, erosion control, paper making, and bedding material for livestock. There also are minor traditional uses for human foods and medicines. Silica bodies in the leaves, razor-like leaf margins, relatively low yields, and very low nutritive and energy values make cogon grass poor forage It is very important in our daily life because everyday we encounter and use plastics to become our every living easier. So, this study will improve the quality of biodegradable plastics by means of scientific process involve in biodegradability test.

http://www.invasive.org/eastern/biocontrol/28CogonGrass.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodegradable_plastic http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761553604/Plastics.html

Statement of the Problem 1. Can cogon grass be an effective component for ideal biodegradable plastics? 2. Is there a significant difference between an ordinary plastic and a newly improved biodegradable plastics using cogon grass?

Significance of the Study This study will improve the quality of plastics especially biodegradable plastics. It will introduce the other important uses of cogon

grass

except

for

building

houses.

It

will

introduce

biodegradability testing for biodegradable plastics to compare the quality of plastic between an ordinary plastic and biodegradable plastic using cogon grass.

Scopes and delimitations I will only use cogon grass as component of ideal biodegradable plastics. Only biodegradability test will be demonstrated to test the strength of the plastic especially biodegradable plastic. Cogon grass will only be used as a component of plastics and no other materials.

Definition of terms

Plastic resin glue – it is powdered; urea formaldehyde wood glue activated by mixing a water into it and it forms a bond stronger than the plastic itself. Catalysts – the rate of chemical reaction is increased by means of chemical substance, this process is called catalysis Biodegradable – is generally an organic material such as plant and animal matter and other substances that originating from living organisms or artificial materials that are similar enough to plant and animal matter to be put into used by microorganisms. Biodegradable plastics – it is made of plastarch material and polylactide will compost in an industrial compost facility. Biodegradation – the process by which organic substances can be broken down by the enzymes produced by living organisms. Biodegradability test – this test will measure the strength of a plastic due to exposure to sunlight such as ultra-violet radiation, water or dampness, bacteria, enzymes, wind abrasion and some instances like rodent pest or insect attack. Polyester - is a category of polymers which contain the ester functional group in their main chain. Although there are many polyesters, the term "polyester" as a specific material most commonly refers to polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Polyesters include naturallyoccurring chemicals, such as in the cutin of plant cuticles, as well as synthetics such as polycarbonate and polybutyrate.

Chapter II Review of Related Literature Plastic is the general common term for a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic organic solid materials suitable for the manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular weight, and may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce costs. The common word "plastic" should not be

confused with the technical adjective "plastic", which is applied to any material which undergoes a permanent change of shape (a "plastic deformation") when strained beyond a certain point. Aluminum, for instance, is "plastic" in this sense, but not "a plastic" in the common sense; while some plastics, in their finished forms, will break before deforming — and therefore are not "plastic" in the technical sense. Plastics can be classified by their chemical structure, namely the molecular units that make up the polymer's backbone and side chains. Some important groups in these classifications are the acrylics, polyesters, silicones, polyurethanes, and halogenated plastics. Plastics can also be classified by the chemical process used in their synthesis, e.g.

as

condensation,

classifications

are

polyaddition,

based

on

qualities

cross-linking, that

are

etc.

Other

relevant

for

manufacturing or product design. Examples of such classes are the thermoplastic and thermoset, elastomer, structural, biodegradable, electrically conductive, etc. Plastics can also be ranked by various physical properties, such as density, tensile strength, glass transition temperature, resistance to various chemical products, etc. Due to their relatively

low

cost,

ease

of

manufacture,

versatility,

and

imperviousness to water, plastics are used in an enormous and expanding range of products, from paper clips to spaceships. They have already displaced many traditional materials—such as wood, stone, horn and bone, leather, paper, metal, glass and ceramic—in

most of their former uses. The use of plastics is constrained chiefly by their organic chemistry, which seriously limits their hardness, density, and their ability to resist heat, organic solvents, oxidation, and ionizing radiation. In particular, most plastics will melt or decompose when heated to a few hundred Celsius. While plastics can be made electrically conductive to some extent, they are still no match for metals like copper or aluminum. Plastics are still too expensive to replace wood, concrete and ceramic in bulky items like ordinary buildings, bridges, dams, pavement, railroad ties, etc. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic#Biodegradable_plastics

The Process of Making Trees into Plastic In the process of converting trees to cellulose, little is wasted. The bark is removed before pulping and is used as fuel for the conversion process itself. The tree is chipped and then cooked in a digester to separate cellulose fibers. Lignins and resins produced at this stage can also be used for other chemical products or as fuel. The resulting pulp of alpha cellulose and hemicellulose is treated with various bleaching chemicals to reduce the hemicellulose content and remove the last traces of lignins and resins. At this stage, the pulp is clean and white. It is pressed to remove water, then dried and wound onto rolls. This is the high-quality, high-alpha cellulose used to

manufacture cellulose esters for plastics. Only the highest-quality pulps are used for Tenite cellulosics http://www.eastman.com/Online_Publications/ppc100d/ppc100d02.htm

Cogon Grass Cardboard Food Packaging The feasibility of cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica) as a substitute for cardboard food packaging was studied in this research project. The cogon grass was cut, boiled, and crushed in order to get the pulp. The pulp was then subjected to five different treatments before it was made into a card board like material. The amount of resin and other additives was kept constant while the amount of starch was varied in every treatment. Introduction Nonbiodegradable waste is a major concern everywhere in the world. The bulk of the world’s waste consists of the hard-to-break-down products, such as styrofoam. Styrofoam is commonly used as food containers in fast food restaurants. Because it cannot be recycled, this particular waste contributes largely to the world’s increasing garbage problem. To lessen this environmental problem, one logical solution is to use biodegradable materials or recyclable ones. Paper is being reconsidered and encouraged for use. This material can be recycled over and over again. However, trees still need to be cut for paper

production. This spells trouble for the already depleted forests. Because of this, the researchers thought of another alternative. This alternative uses cogon grass for making the pulp and the paper. Cogon grass is found abundantly in many places and is sometimes considered a nuisance. http://www.investigatoryprojectexample.com/science/cogon-grass-asa-substitute-for-cardboard-food-packaging.html http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=plastic&searchmode=n one

Chapter III Methodology Inventions have evolved and continue to evolve such that after several years of study, research and experimentation reach great developments. With continuing efforts to investigate the constituents of Philippine plants, the researcher has pursued investigation of cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica). Cogon grass were gathered, ground and squeezed to extract starch. The grass was obtained by weighing and dividing into three equal parts; 80 grams in T1, T2 and T3. Treatments also consisted of 60 ml plastic resin glue and resin with 50 grams of flour catalyst for T1, 100 grams for T2 and 150 grams in T3. The components in every treatment were mixed, stirred and then poured in silk screen with oil and then sun-dried. Test for capacity to

carry weight indicated T3 as the best. For its ability to hold water, all products passed but for biodegradability, T1 gave the best results. The tensile and bending properties had been tested using the Universal Testing Machine and Analysis showed that T3 had the greatest tensile strength while T2 had the greatest bending property. Using ANOVA single factor, an analysis of variance (ANOVA) is a collection of statistical models, and their associated procedures, in which the observed variance is partitioned into components due to different explanatory variables. The initial techniques of the analysis of variance were developed by the statistician and geneticist R. A. Fisher in the 1920s and 1930s, and is sometimes known as Fisher's ANOVA or Fisher's analysis of variance, due to the use of Fisher's F-distribution as part of the test of statistical significance,

results showed that there was significant difference among the three treatments in bending and tensile strength. The final phase of the study determined the effectiveness of cogon grass as component of biodegradable plastic. Results confirmed that cogon grass is ideal as tests proved its worth.