Chemical and biology aging of novel green membranes made of PVA and wood flour fibers reinforced with nanosilica manufactured by compression molding process

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this work was to improve the biodegradable properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/nanowood flour membranes consisting of nanosilica which were manufactured by compression molding process. Cross-linking of PVA was used to improve the mechanical properties and prevent high solubility of the obtained transient membranes. Plasticizer used to increase the plasticity of transient membranes. The biodegradability of transient membranes was evaluated under UV accelerated weathering as well as soil burial test. The transient membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra and X-ray diffraction to study the chemical structure. Mechanical strength was appointed to characterize and reveal the mechanical, thermal analysis and the structural properties of such transient membranes. Scanning electron microscope was used to characterize the morphology of transient membranes. Swelling test and weight loss due to biodegradation were also evaluated. The results showed that the developed transient membranes can be used as food packaging bags due to biodegradability (weight loss) under irradiation and during burial soil which making them environmentally friendly.