Development of rice starch/recycled polypropylene biocomposites with jute waste nanofiber-based filler

Abstract

The current investigation deals with the synthesis of rice starch and jute nanofiber (JNF) and its dispersion into recycled Polypropylene (PP) matrix. The morphological and spectral analysis of the fabricated jute nanofiber revealed that the produced fibers are crystalline and are elliptical in shape with diameter of 20 nm. The developed compression moulded sheets with different composition of jute nanofiber (2%) and rice starch (0 - 50%) were vigorously analyzed to determine the effect of fillers on the structural (SEM, XRD), compositional (FTIR), thermal (DSC, TGA, MFI) and optical (Haze, Transmittance) properties. Mechanical property assessment revealed that there is a continuous increase in Young’s modulus (YM) and stiffness (ST) with increase in starch content from 0 to 50% from 1250.8 MPa to 101107.7 N/m to 2130.5 MPa and 172210.3 N/m respectively indicating the enhancement in toughness with increase in biofiller. The decrease in Tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (EB) from 34.31 MPa to 6.5% (0% starch) to 12.74 MPa and 1.62% (50% starch in matrix) respectively indicates the loosening of internal polymer chains which thereby indicates susceptibility of the sheets towards faster deterioration in natural environment. The enhanced crystalline sample RCPP1(containing 20% rice starch, 2% JNF) was considered as the best sample having 15.21 MPa (TS), 2.5% (EB), 1357.5 MPa (YM), 103942.7 N/m (ST). Hence, the synthesized composite matrix consisting of recycled PP along with starch laden jute nanofiber could be a viable biogenic material option for effective application in packaging industries.