A novel approach for isolation of nanofibers from sugarcane bagasse and its characterization for packaging applications

Abstract

AbstractA novel approach including only one stage of ecofriendly treatment, by sodium bicarbonate, followed by mechanical grinding was used to isolate the nanofibers from waste sugarcane bagasse subjected to its characterization for the packaging applications. The result of dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis was found in line with the result of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to confirm the nanosize of developed nanofibers. The X‐ray diffraction analysis showed the highest crystallinity of nanofibers than those of untreated and treated fibers. The removal of hemicelluloses and lignin from treated fibers and nanofibers was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. Moreover, a good thermal stability of nanofibers was also confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The optical properties (ie, absorbance and transmittance) in wavelength range 200 to 700 nm were also measured using UV‐visible spectroscope. An excellent optical and antibacterial property against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Bacillus bacteria along with better strength and stiffness was offered by the isolated nanofibers, which makes them the most suitable reinforcement to be used in polymeric composites for the packaging applications.