Abstract
This study aimed to prepare microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) films with good mechanical properties via plasticization using a Chinese leek (CL, Allium tuberosum) extract. The microstructure, crystal structure, mechanical properties, barrier ability, and thermal properties of the films were investigated. The chemical structure analysis of CL extract showed the existence of cellulose, lignin, and low-molecular-weight substances, such as polysaccharides, pectins, and waxes, which could act as plasticizers to enhance the properties of MCC:CL biocomposite films. The results of scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy analyses indicated the good compatibility between MCC and CL extract. When the volume ratio of MCC:CL was 7:3, the MCC:CL biocomposite film exhibited the best comprehensive performance in terms of water vapor permeability (2.11 × 10–10 g/m·s·Pa), elongation at break (13.2 ± 1.8%), and tensile strength (24.7 ± 2.5 MPa). The results of a UV absorption analysis demonstrated that the addition of CL extract improved the UV-shielding performance of the films. Therefore, this work not only proposes a facile method to prepare MCC films with excellent mechanical properties via plasticization using CL extract but also broadens the potential applications of MCC films in the packaging area.
Highlights
Plastic has a wide range of applications in both manufacturing and daily life due to its excellent performance, ease of processing, and low cost
The result shows that the molecular weight distribution of the Chinese leek (CL) extract is relatively wide, indicating that complex substances may be extracted by directly immersing CL in Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)
Compared to the pure microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) film, the addition of the CL extract in the MCC:CL biocomposite film resulted in a decrease in the tensile strength but an increase in the elongation at break
Summary
Plastic has a wide range of applications in both manufacturing and daily life due to its excellent performance, ease of processing, and low cost. In Asian and European feces samples, 20 kinds of microplastic particles (50–500 μm) have been found in every 10 g of feces (Schwabl et al, 2019). Microplastics may translocate into gastrointestinal tissues and cause deleterious effects (Morgado et al, 2013; Deng et al, 2017). Cellulose is the most abundant renewable polymer found in nature. Because it is an unbranched crystalline polymer with a straight chain configuration, it can form strong fibers (Gumowska et al, 2019). The addition of a plasticizer can reduce the brittleness and increase the flexibility of cellulose and can help increase its water vapor
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
