Development of Biocomposites of MCC Extracted From Non-Wood Sources

Abstract

The present work mainly focuses on the estimation of various components and the extraction of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) from nonwood sources like Country Almond/Badam shell through acid hydrolysis. This hydrolyzed MCC was successfully used as reinforcement for development of biocomposites. Country Almond/Badam trees are found all over Kerala, India and they give nuts once in a year. Usually the nut shells are discarded and are becoming one of the sources of agricultural waste. During this investigation various components were isolated from the Country Almond shells and they were characterised using different spectral and analytical techniques thereby the composition of Country Almond shells was successfully determined for the first time. The properties of MCC especially the crystalline nature depends on the source from which is isolated. FT-IR spectra give evidence for the chemical structure of MCC. Morphology of MCC was evidenced from scanning electron microscopy. Transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy reveal the agglomerated bundles of particles and rough surface of MCC. The extracted MCC was found to contain Cellulose I and Cellulose II polymorphs, and this was confirmed from the X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The MCC extracted from Country Almond shells has reasonably good thermal stability. Solution casting method was adopted for the development of green composite of Poly (vinyl alcohol) reinforced with MCC extracted from Country Almond shell. The mechanical property of developed composites has been enhanced by the addition of MCC. The dispersion of MCC in the PVA matrix and flocculation of MCC significantly influence the mechanical strength.