Regenerated Cellulose Biocomposite Films Research Articles

Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) Treatment of Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) to Improve the Properties of Regenerated Cellulose Biocomposite Films

The empty fruit bunch (EFB) regenerated cellulose (RC) biocomposite films for packaging application were prepared using ionic liquid. The effects of EFB content and methyl methacrylate (MMA) treatment of the EFB on the mechanical and thermal properties of the RC biocomposite were studied. The tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of the MMA treated RC biocomposite film achieved a maximum value when 2 wt% EFB was used for the regeneration process. The treated EFB RC biocomposite films also possess higher crystallinity index. The morphology analysis indicated that the RC biocomposite film containing MMA treated EFB exhibits a smoother and more homogeneous surface compared to the one containing the untreated EFB. The substitution of the –OH group of the EFB cellulose with the ester group of the MMA resulted in greater dissolution of the EFB in the ionic liquid solvent, thus improving the interphase bonding between the filler and matrix phase of the EF RC biocomposite. Due to this factor, thermal stability of the EFB RC biocomposite also successfully improved.

The Effect of Paddy Straw Content on Properties of Regenerated Cellulose Biocomposite Films

Regenerated cellulose (RC)/paddy straw (PS) biocomposite films was prepared by addition of PS powder in partially dissolving microcrystalline cellulose into an 8% lithium chloride/N,N-dimethylacetamide (LiCl/DMAc) solution. The effect of paddy straw on tensile properties and crystallinity index (CrI) of RC/PS biocomposite films were studied. The results obtained revealed that the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of RC/PS biocomposite films compared with pure regenerated cellulose was significantly improved at 5 wt% PS loading but decrease with the increment of PS. The increase in crystallinity index at 5 wt% proved the enhancement affected by the incorporation of PS.

Modified Nypa fruticans regenerated cellulose biocomposite films using acrylic acid

The effect of Nypa fruticans (NF) content and acrylic acid on tensile properties, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and morphology of NF regenerated cellulose (RC) biocomposite films was studied. NF RC biocomposite films were produced by dissolving NF and microcrystalline cellulose in the mixture of N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc)/lithium chloride. The result found that the addition of NF increased the tensile strength and Young’s modulus, but reduced the elongation at break of the NF RC biocomposite films. The crystallinity index, thermal stability, moisture content, and weight loss of enzymatic biodegradation of the NF RC biocomposite films also improved as the NF content increases. The presence of NF modified with acrylic acid exhibits higher tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and elongation at break compared to unmodified NF RC biocomposite films. The crystallinity index, thermal stability, moisture resistivity, and stability towards enzymatic biodegradation of the NF RC biocomposite films increased after modification with AA. The improvement of filler–matrix adhesion was verified by SEM study.

Treated Nypa fruticans Husk-filled Regenerated Cellulose Biocomposite Films

The effects of filler content and methacrylate acid (MAA) treated Nypa fruticans husk (NFH) on the mechanical properties, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and morphology of NFH regenerated cellulose (RC) biocomposite films were investigated. Ionic liquid containing 8 wt% of lithium chloride (LiCl)/N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) was used to dissolve microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and NFH to produce NFH RC biocomposite films. Methacrylate acid was used as a modifying agent on the NFH to promote better mechanical and thermal properties for the resulting NFH RC biocomposite films. The results showed that the tensile strength, Young’s modulus, crystallinity index (CrI), moisture content, and thermal stability of the untreated NFH RC biocomposite films increased with increasing NFH content up to 3 wt% and decreased with further increments. The MAA-treated NFH showed improved tensile strength and Young’s modulus compared with the untreated NFH RC biocomposite films. The presence of MAA enhanced the crystallinity index (CrI), moisture resistance, and thermal stability of the NFH RC biocomposite films. Good interfacial interaction between the NFH and RC matrix was proven by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Characterization and Properties of Treated Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Regenerated Cellulose Biocomposite Films with Butyl Methacrylate Using Ionic Liquid

ABSTRACTRegenerated cellulose biocomposite films from oil palm empty fruit bunch and microcrystalline cellulose were prepared using N,N-dimethylacetamide and lithium chloride. The effects of oil palm empty fruit bunch contents and butyl methacrylate on properties of regenerated cellulose biocomposite films were investigated. At 2 wt% of untreated oil palm empty fruit bunch content showed highest crystallinity index, tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and thermal stability but lower elongation at break than other oil palm empty fruit bunch content. The treated regenerated cellulose biocomposite films with butyl methacrylate showed better tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, thermal stability, and crystallinity index while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy study showed interaction between cellulose and butyl methacrylate.

Effect of Butyl Methacrylate on Properties of Regenerated Cellulose Coconut Shell Biocomposite Films

In this study, butyl methacrylate acid (BMA) is used as chemical modifier of regenerated cellulose (RC) coconut shell (CS) biocomposite films. The effect of CS content and BMA on tensile properties and crystallinity index (CrI) of RCCSbiocomposite films were investigated. It is found that the increasing of CS content up to 3 wt% increased the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity but decreased at higher content of CS. Elongation at break decreased with increasing of CS content and increased at 4 wt% of CS. Cystallinity index (CrI) of biocomposite films also increased with increasing CS up to 3 wt% content. At similar CS content, treated RC CS biocomposite films with BMA were found to have higher tensile properties and crystallinity index (CrI) than the untreated biocomposite films. The modification by BMA improved interfacial interaction and dispersion of CS in RC biocomposite films.

Effect of Acrylic Acid Content on Modified NypaFruticans Regenerated Cellulose Biocomposite Films

Nypafruticans (NF) is one of the agriculture crops, which grows abundantly in Malaysia. It can be used as asubstitute for commercial cellulose in order to utilize biomass waste. Regenerated cellulose (RC) biocomposite films from NF and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) were prepared by dissolving cellulose in lithium chloride (LiCl) and N, N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc). Acrylic acid (AA) was used as surface modifier of NF. The results indicated that the addition of NF in RC biocomposite films increases the tensile strength and Young's modulus of RC biocomposite film up to 3 wt%. The elongation at break of RC biocomposite films decreased with increases of NF content. The modified NF with AA improved the tensile strength and Young's modulus but reduced the elongation at break of RC biocomposite films. The highest tensile strength and Young's modulus of RC biocomposite films was exhibited by 3% AA content.

Tensile Properties and Morphology of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Regenerated Cellulose Biocomposite Films

The regenerated cellulose (RC)biocomposite films were prepared using casting method where oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) were dissolved in N-dimethylacetamide/lithium chloride (DMAc/LiCl)solution. The increasing of OPEFB contents up to 2 wt% increased the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of RC biocomposite films while the elongation at break decreased. However, at 3 and 4 wt% of OPEFB content, the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity decreased with increases OPEFB content, but elongation at break increased. The increment of tensile strength and modulus of elasticity at 2 wt% is due to the OPEFB fiber that partially dissolved and dispersed with the OPEFB matrix. The morphology studies illustrate that at 2 wt% of OPEFB content of biocomposite films surface consists less voids and agglomerations than at 4 wt%. This can be considered the RC filler was partially dispersed with the RC matrix in the biocomposite films.

Treatment of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Regenerated Cellulose Biocomposite Films using Methacrylic Acid

Regenerated cellulose (RC) biocomposite films from oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) were prepared using ionic liquid. N,N-Dimethylacetamide (DMAc) and Lithium Chloride (LiCl) were used to dissolve the regenerated cellulose at room temperature. The effects of OPEFB content and chemical modification using methacrylic acid (MAA) on the X-ray diffraction, tensile properties, morphology, thermal properties, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results for RC biocomposite films were investigated. The chemical modification of OPEFB using MAA enhanced the properties of the treated RC biocomposite films. At 2 wt.% of OPEFB both of the RC biocomposite films showed the highest crystallinity index, tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and thermal stability. The treated RC biocomposite films had a higher crystallinity index, tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and thermal properties than the untreated RC biocomposite films. The Tdmax of treated RC biocomposite films with MAA was higher than that of untreated RC biocomposite films. This indicates that treated biocomposite films had higher thermal stability. The enhancement of interfacial interaction and the dispersion of treated RC biocomposite films with MAA were revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The FTIR spectra of treated RC biocomposite films indicated interaction between cellulose from OPEFB and MCC with MAA.

Improved Properties of Coconut Shell Regenerated Cellulose Biocomposite Films using Butyl Methacrylate

Butyl methacrylate acid (BMA) was used to enhance the properties of coconut shell (CS) and regenerated cellulose (RC) biocomposite films. The effects of coconut shell content and BMA on the tensile properties, crystallinity index (CrI), thermal properties, and morphology of biocomposite films were investigated. An increase in CS content, up to 3 wt.%, increased the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity, but decreased the elongation at break. The CS-RC biocomposite films treated with BMA exhibited higher tensile strength and modulus of elasticity but lower elongation at break. The crystallinity index (CrI) and thermal stability of CS-RC biocomposite films increased with increasing CS up to 3 wt.%. Treated CS biocomposite films had better thermal stability than untreated CS biocomposite films. The presence of BMA increased the crystallinity of CS regenerated cellulose biocomposite films. Enhancement of the interfacial interaction of CS-RC biocomposite films was revealed by morphological study.

Regenerated Cellulose/Nypa Fruticans Fiber Biocomposite Films Using Ionic Liquid

Regenerated cellulose (RC) biocomposite films from Nypa Fruticans Fiber (NFF) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) were prepared by dissolving cellulose in lithium chloride (LiCl) and dimethylacetamide (DMAc). The effect of NFF content on tensile properties and X-ray diffraction were studied. The results found that the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of RC biocomposite films increased from 1 wt% to 3 wt% of NFF content and decreased at 4 wt% of NFF content. The elongation at break of RC biocomposite films decreased with increases NFF content. The crystallinity of RC biocomposite films also showed the highest crystallinity at 3 wt% of NFF content.