Thermal, Biodegradability and Water Barrier Properties of Bio-Nanocomposites Based on Plasticised Sugar Palm Starch and Nanofibrillated Celluloses from Sugar Palm Fibers
This study explores the potential of utilizing sugar palm starch and fibers, often discarded as agro-industry waste, to develop biodegradable bio-nanocomposites.
Researchers examined the thermal, water barrier, and soil degradation properties of plasticized sugar palm starch (PSPS) reinforced with sugar palm nanofibrillated celluloses (SP-NFCs). Using a solution-casting method, bio-nanocomposites were fabricated with varying SP-NFC concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 wt.%.
The study found that incorporating SP-NFCs significantly enhanced the thermal stability of the PSPS films. The nanocomposites exhibited strong inter-molecular hydrogen bonding, which restricted the mobility of starch chains and improved their thermal resistance. Among the samples, films containing 1.0 wt.% SP-NFCs showed the highest thermal stability. Water barrier properties were also significantly improved, as SP-NFCs reduced water vapor permeability by creating a tortuous diffusion path that hindered moisture penetration. The 1.0 wt.% SP-NFC composite demonstrated an 87.36% improvement in water resistance compared to the control PSPS film.
In terms of biodegradability, soil burial tests revealed that while PSPS/SP-NFCs films degraded more slowly than the control sample, they maintained their environmental compatibility. The control film fully decomposed within 10 days, whereas the SP-NFC composites required up to 14 days to degrade. This slower degradation rate is attributed to the increased crystallinity and reduced water absorption provided by the SP-NFC reinforcement.
These findings underline the potential of SP-NFC-reinforced starch polymers as sustainable materials for short-lifecycle applications such as food packaging and disposable containers. By combining eco-friendliness with enhanced mechanical and barrier properties, these bio-nanocomposites represent a promising alternative to petroleum-based plastics, advancing the development of environmentally friendly polymer materials.
