Mechanical evaluation and characterization of hybrid sugarcane bagasse microfibrillated cellulose with added filler materials for use as disposable utensils

Abstract

Sugarcane bagasse–based raw materials are predominantly used for their low cost and ease of availability of cellulosic materials for biocomposite engineering. Herein, we use cellulose derived from bagasse to form microfibrillated cellulose (MFC). Unmodified MFCs were chemically characterized using FTIR and SEM-EDX analysis and later treated with the addition of filler materials, such as glass powder, air bubbles, and activated carbon, in order to enhance material properties. Sugarcane bagasse microfibrillated cellulose with added filler materials were subsequently evaluated with respect to their mechanical, structural, and chemical properties. The MFC was synthesized via a facile microfibrillation process enabled by a kitchen blender at ambient conditions. The as-formed MFC was thoroughly characterized chemically to identify any chemical compositional variations, especially those observed as a result of filler addition. Changes in mechanical properties of MFCs in the presence of individual filler materials were evaluated using tensile testing and are reported at a nearly comparable strength of ~3.63 MPa. The addition of filler materials resulted in the improvement of MFC such that the MFC was easily drawn into pliable sheets. The increased flexibility of the MFC offers a simple strategy to create bagasse-based disposable utensils that could promote sustainable and eco-friendly commodities.