Synthesis and preparation of bacterial cellulose/calcium hydrogen phosphate composite film for mulching film application

Abstract

This research aims to prepare mulching film from starting substrate of Acetobacter xylinum in bacterial cellulose (BC). BC was extracted from rotten coconut fruit. At the same time, CaHPO4 fertilizer was prepared from waste cockle shell. Both BC and CaHPO4 were analyzed by XRD and SEM for investigation of crystal structure and morphology. The results reveal well specific characterization of BC and CaHPO4. The BC and CaHPO4 composite film were further forming by solvent casting method. It was found that the increasing amount of CaHPO4 to 3 and 5%w/w were dramatically increased the percent of water absorption and rate of biodegradation, but it must sacrifice to mechanical properties. The morphology results were also disclosure that the higher amount of CaHPO4 (3 and 5 %w/w) composite film obviously caused phase separation that was correspondent to lower in mechanical properties. Thus, BC/1%CaHPO4 composite film was selected for mulching film because of good mechanical properties and gradually slow degradation.