Physical, Mechanical, Biological Properties and Characterization of Blended Films of Chitosan-Cellulose Diacetate Derived Waste Cigarette Filters

Cigarette butts (CB) accumulate due to the poor biodegradability of cellulose acetate filters, and the toxic substances trapped therein pose a threat to human life, marine ecosystems and the environment if not disposed of properly increase. Due to growing concerns stemming from inadequate landfill sites and growing environmental concerns about toxic combustion gases, there is a great need for environmentally friendly alternative CB waste treatment processes. This research describes the preparation of blended films with chitosan (CS) and cellulose diacetate (CDA) derived waste cigarette filters as reinforcement. The aim was to evaluate their physical, mechanical and biodegradable properties, and to determine their potential for biomedical use. Blended films were prepared via solvent casting CDA suspensions in CS solution, at CDA amount of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 (w/w) with pure chitosan as a reference. The prepared blended films were investigated by using the physical parameters, the physico-mechanical properties, the degree of swelling, and water uptake. Comparative characterization of the prepared blended films included XRD, FT IR, SEM, and TG-DTA analysis. The various types of CS-CDA blended films were also tested for antimicrobial activity using an agar well diffusion method. Subsequently, the biodegradable nature of the prepared CS-CDA blended films was studied through the soil burial test. Based on the results, The CS/CDA blended films which could be reduce cigarette waste filters and increase the values. In the future, these CS-CDA blended films can be developed in the membrane to use for biomedical applications as face sheet and mash sheet of COVID-19 pendemic.