Abstract
Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) prepared from microcrystalline cellulose were blended in tara gum solution to prepare nanocomposite films. The morphology, crystallinity, and thermal properties of the CNC and films were evaluated by using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. The resultant CNC was rod-shaped with diameters of around 8.6nm. The effect of CNC content on physical and thermal properties of films was studied. The composite film tensile strength increased from 27.86 to 65.73MPa, elastic modulus increased from 160.98MPa to 882.49MPa and the contact angle increased from 55.8° to 98.7° with increasing CNC content from 0 to 6wt%. However, CNC addition increased the thermal stability slightly and CNC content above 6wt% decreased the tensile strength by CNC aggregation in the matrix. The nanocomposite film containing 6wt% CNC possessed the highest light transmittance, mechanical properties, and lowest oxygen permeability. CNC addition is a suitable method to modify tara gum matrix polymer properties.
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