MATEC Web of Conferences, open access proceedings in Materials science, Engineering and Chemistry

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.

Polylactic acid (PLA)/halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) bionanocomposites were prepared using solution casting method for food packaging applications. Five types of HNTs collected from different geological locations were reinforced PLA with three different HNTs concentrations (0, 5 and 10wt%). However, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of HNTs type and concentration on the thermal properties of PLA/HNTs nanocomposites. The thermal properties of PLA/HNTs nanocomposites were assessed by using thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The TGA measurements were performed at nitrogen atmosphere. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis indicated that the presence of HNT could promote the cold crystallisation of PLA which the crystallinity was slightly increased by the addition of HNTs, DG and UHP showed the lowest crystallisation temperatures. Thermogravimetric analysis data revealed that the thermal stability of PLA/HNTs depends on the amount of HNTs which demonstrated optimum thermal stabilities at 5wt% HNTs loading. In addition, it depends on HNTs type, DG and UHP exhibited high thermal stabilities compared to other HNTs types.