Thermal, Biodegradability and Water Barrier Properties of Bio-Nanocomposites Based on Plasticised Sugar Palm Starch and Nanofibrillated Celluloses from Sugar Palm Fibers

Sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) starch and fibre are considered to be waste products of the agro-industry. The purpose of this study is to determine the thermal, water barrier, and soil degradation properties of biodegradable plasticised sugar palm starch (PSPS) that contains sugar palm nano fibrillated celluloses (SP-NFCs) derived from sugar palm fibre. The bio-nano composites were fabricated by using the solution-casting method with the nanocellulose contents. The thermal stability, water resistance and degradation behaviour improved with an increase in SP-NFCs content, due to high compatibility and strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds formed between PSPS and SP-NFCs. PSPS/SP-NFCs bio-nano composites with 1.0 wt.% SP-NFCs content displayed the highest mechanical and thermal stability. The residue that was left during the TGA analysis increased as the SP-NFC content was increased. Soil burial tests showed biodegradability resistance of the bio-nano composites. The following conclusions can be drawn from the present reinforcement study of SP-NFCs enhanced biodegradability, water barrier as well as thermal properties of starch polymer which extended the prospective application of environmentally-friendly polymer material. Potential applications for this eco-material are short product life cycles (plastic packaging and food container).

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