Comparative evaluation of cellulose nanocrystals from bagasse and coir agro-wastes for reinforcing PVA-based composites

Abstract

In order to increase resilience of planters against climate change and bring additional economic benefits, agro-wastes can be exploited for extracting nanocellulose to produce eco-friendly composites. This paper focused on extracting nanocellulose from sugarcane bagasse and coir ( cocos nucifera ) using chemical methods including mercerisation, bleaching and acid hydrolysis. Taguchi Design of Experiment showed that the optimum alkaline treatment conditions of bagasse were at 2 wt% NaOH at 90 °C for 16 h. The morphological changes occurring along each treatment stage were observed using Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The differences in the nanoparticles extracted from the two biomass were studied through the determination of crystallinity indexes and particle size. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) from coir exhibited a total crystallinity index (TCI) of 1.03 and an average particle size of 137.3 nm while CNCs extracted from sugarcane bagasse under similar treatment conditions had a TCI of 0.85 and an average particle size of around 48 µm. Dynamic Light Scattering findings showed risks of agglomeration after freeze drying. Bio-nanocomposite films with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as matrix were manufactured by the solvent casting process. The highest tensile strength (38.2 MPa) was obtained for CNCs extracted from coir at a CNC/PVA loading of 0.5 wt%, representing a 96.9% increase in the tensile strength as compared to the unreinforced PVA matrix. This study showed that sugarcane bagasse and coir are suitable sources of nanocellulose and can be used to prepare bio-composites with considerably high tensile strengths.

Preparation of spherical nanocellulose from Gai bamboo and mechanical properties of chitosan/nanocellulose composite

“…Gai bamboo was collected from Binh Duong province, Southeast of Vietnam in March to April. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), sodium hypochlorite (NaClO, 8%, d = 1.11 g/cm 3 ), glycerol (C 3 H 8 O 3 ), and acetic acid (CH 3 COOH) were purchased from Xi Long, China. SA (H 2 SO 4 , 95%-98%, M = 98.08 g/mol, d = 1.86 g/cm 3 ) originated from Malaysia.…”

“…[1,2] Numerous plants have been used to synthesize CNCs, such as bamboo, coir, oil palm, and sugar bagasse. [2][3][4][5][6][7] Among them, bamboo is of interest because it is one of the fastest-growing species, abundant, and significantly diverse. Furthermore, it possesses a relatively high cellulose content and low lignin and hemicellulose contents, making it a suitable source for the extraction of CNCs.…”

Review Article: Development of biodegradable films using nanocellulose for food packaging application

“…According to the findings, films with 10% (w/w) CNC and 10% (w/w) CNF incorporation had a 21.3 percent lower FWS when compared to neat pictures. Krishnavani Pavalaydon et al extracted Micro cellulose from cassava peel and coco fiber using chemical processes such as mercerization, bleaching, and acid hydrolysis [26]. Taguchi design is the technique used in the process of Fourier-Transform(FT).…”

Synthesis of microcrystalline cellulose from sugarcane bagasse and its incorporation into Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) matrix to test the composites mechanical properties

“…Many examples have shown the incorporation of MCC into various material matrices, particularly those of synthetic nature such as PVA or polypropylene [12][13][14][15]. Other groups, on the other hand, reported the isolation of nanocellulose from various sources, particularly from sugarcane bagasse, and its potential as a reinforcing agent for synthetic polymers such as PVA [7,[16][17][18][19][20][21]. We report herein the synthesisof microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)from sugarcane bagasse and its incorporation into the matrix of PVA for the formation of biofilms.…”