2024 Volume 15 Issue 2 Pages 181-186
The use of nanocellulose, both in the form of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), as a reinforcement of polylactic acid (PLA) has been an interesting topic over the last decade. However, the inclusion of CNF remains a challenge, particularly in the presence of water, the lack of appropriate dispersion methodologies, and the low affinity between cellulose and PLA. This study assessed how nanocellulose-based bio-composites behave at their end of life and the feasibility of incorporating high dosages of CNF into a thermoplastic starch matrix (TPS). 10 treatments were designed by adding CNF (2% - 10%) and a blended matrix of PEG and PTB (2% - 6%) to PLA. The end-life nanofiber aimed to check the characteristics of fiber using a high-pressure homogenizer (GEA Niro Soavi, Italy) at 900 bars in 3 cycles. The results showed that the mechanical and enzymatic pretreatments CNF had properties in terms of consistency, yield, transmittance at 600 nm wavelength, and Carboxyl content at 0.725% and 0.875%, 52.51% and 58.7%, 19.9% and 16.4%, respectively, and 42 µeq g/g (the same value on both types of CNF pretreatments, respectively). The masterbatch dispersed with CNF made by enzymatic pretreatment process at 2% obtained the highest tensile strength at 44 Megapascals (MPa), followed by CNF enzymatic 4%, CNF mechanic 2%, and 4%. In terms of melt flow, the enzymatical CNF masterbatches (2% - 10%) were 38 g/10 minutes - 8 g/10 minutes, respectively, while the CNF mechanical and blended masterbatches ranged from 30 g/10 mins to 60 g/10 mins. Therefore, the mechanical properties of film made from masterbatch dispersed with 2% enzymatic CNF obtained a better result. All films can be used for food packaging according to these achieved properties.
