Surface modification, characterization and properties of regenerated cellulose NYPA fructicans filled microcrystalline cellulose biocomposite films

Abstract

The regenerated cellulose (RC) biocomposite films from nypa fruticans (NF) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) were prepared via solvent casting method using ionic liquid. The solvent system of N, N Dimethylacetamide (DMAc) and Lithium Chloride (LiCl) were used to dissolve cellulose at room temperature. In this study, the biocomposite films containing MCC and NF were varied from 1, 2, 3 and 4 wt%. The effect of MCC, NF content and different chemical modifications such as acrylic acid (AA), methacrylate acid (MAA), butyl methacrylate acid (BMA), maleic acid (MA), adipic acid (ADA), acetic acid (AAc) and 3-aminopropyltriethoxy silane (APTES) on the tensile properties, morphology, X- ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), fourier transform infrared (FTIR), moisture content and enzymatic biodegradation of RC biocomposite films were investigated. The result showed that the RC films at 3 wt% of MCC content and NF RC biocomposite films at 3 wt% NF content had highest tensile strength, Young’s modulus and crystallinity index (CrI). The morphology study of NF RC biocomposite films indicated better dispersion of filler in matrix at 3 wt% of NF content. Meanwhile, the thermal stability of both RC films and NF RC biocomposite films increased with increasing of MCC or NF content. The moisture content and weight loss for enzymatic biodegradation of both RC films and NF RC biocomposite films increased with increasing of MCC and NF content, respectively. The chemical modifications of NF using AA, MAA, BMA, MA, ADA, AAc and APTES showed improvement in the properties of treated NF RC biocomposite films. The FTIR spectra showed the changes of functional group of treated NF RC biocomposite films. The tensile properties and crystallinity index of treated RC biocomposite films with AA, MAA, BMA, MA, ADA, AAc and APTES were higher than the untreated NF RC biocomposite films. The improvement of interfacial interaction of treated NF RC biocomposite films was proven by the SEM. Furthermore, the treated NF RC biocomposite films showed higher thermal stability compared to the untreated NF RC biocomposite films. Moreover, the moisture content and weight loss of enzymatic biodegradation of treated NF RC biocomposite films were lower than that of untreated NF RC biocomposite films. Results showed that the treated NF RC biocomposite films with AAc exhibited the highest tensile properties, thermal stability and resistance towards moisture and enzymatic attack among the others treated NF RC biocomposite films.