Improved Properties of Coconut Shell Regenerated Cellulose Biocomposite Films using Butyl Methacrylate

Abstract

Butyl methacrylate acid (BMA) was used to enhance the properties of coconut shell (CS) and regenerated cellulose (RC) biocomposite films. The effects of coconut shell content and BMA on the tensile properties, crystallinity index (CrI), thermal properties, and morphology of biocomposite films were investigated. An increase in CS content, up to 3 wt.%, increased the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity, but decreased the elongation at break. The CS-RC biocomposite films treated with BMA exhibited higher tensile strength and modulus of elasticity but lower elongation at break. The crystallinity index (CrI) and thermal stability of CS-RC biocomposite films increased with increasing CS up to 3 wt.%. Treated CS biocomposite films had better thermal stability than untreated CS biocomposite films. The presence of BMA increased the crystallinity of CS regenerated cellulose biocomposite films. Enhancement of the interfacial interaction of CS-RC biocomposite films was revealed by morphological study.

Isolation and characterization of cellulose from coconut shell powder and its application as reinforcement in casein composite films

“…Each unit of cellulose contains three hydroxyl groups associated with hydrogen bonds to form bundles of fibrils, wherein highly ordered crystalline regions alternate with disordered amorphous regions (Bodirlau, Teaca, & Spiridon, 2013). Due to its fibrous nature, cellulose as a bio-filler can align and orient itself uniaxially enhancing its mechanical strength (Haafiz et al, 2013), flexibility, biocompatibility, thermal and chemical stability (Hahary, Husseinsyah, & Zakaria, 2016). The utilization of cellulose as reinforcement in thermoplastic matrices was demonstrated by several researchers (Haafiz et al, 2013;Teacă, Bodîrlău, & Spiridon, 2013;Hahary et al, 2016;Sudharsan et al, 2016).…”

“…Due to its fibrous nature, cellulose as a bio-filler can align and orient itself uniaxially enhancing its mechanical strength (Haafiz et al, 2013), flexibility, biocompatibility, thermal and chemical stability (Hahary, Husseinsyah, & Zakaria, 2016). The utilization of cellulose as reinforcement in thermoplastic matrices was demonstrated by several researchers (Haafiz et al, 2013;Teacă, Bodîrlău, & Spiridon, 2013;Hahary et al, 2016;Sudharsan et al, 2016). Similarly, addition of 15% (w/w) cellulose to starch-based films improved their water resistance (Dufresne & Vignon, 1998).…”