Properties and characterization of cerber mangas (sea mango) filled poly (vinyl alcohol) biocomposite films

Abstract

This research was focused on the effect of sea mango fiber (SMF) content and chemical modification on tensile and thermal properties, morphology and moisture content of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/sea mango fiber (SMF) biocomposite films. The sea mango fiber filled poly (vinyl) alcohol biocomposite films were prepared by casting method at temperature 50°C for 24 hours. The biocomposite films were prepared with different SMF content from 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt%. The result showed that the increasing SMF content has increased the tensile strength. The modulus of elasticity increased but the elongation at break decreases as the SMF content increased in PVA/SMF biocomposite films. The addition of SMF content also increased the moisture content of biocomposite films. The higher SMF content possessed better thermal stability. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) study was proven the poor interfacial adhesion between SMF and PVA matrix. The methyl methacrylate acid (MMA) was used as chemical modification. The chemical modification of SMF improved the properties of modified biocomposite films. The results indicates that the modified biocomposite films have higher tensile strength and modulus of elasticity but exhibit lower elongation at break compared to unmodified biocomposite films. The modified biocomposite films with MMA also lower the moisture content. The modified biocomposite films exhibits lower total weight loss at temperature 700°C compared to unmodified biocomposite films. The improved interfacial adhesion of modified PVA/SMF biocomposite films were proved by the morphological study. The FTIR showed the chemical modification of SMF with MMA reduced the hydroxyl group of SMF.