Farah Fahma

Acetylation and stepwise solvent-exchange to modify hydrophilic cellulose whiskers to polychloroprene-compatible nanofiller

The acetylation of cellulose nanofiber (CNF) introduced hydrophobicity to the surface making it compatible with non-polar matrix, and also making it an effective nanofiller for polychloroprene (PCR) composite. The CNF was extracted from oil palm empty fruit bunches. Previously, CNF was dispersed in water, and this water was subsequently substituted with N,N-dimethylacetamide, in which CNF was acetylated by acetic anhydride with a pyridine catalyst. IR spectroscopy revealed that the acetylation extent was controllable by the reaction time. After the reaction, the DMAc was replaced by dichloromethane, and finally mixed with PCR. The CNF–PCR mixture was cast and composite film was formed at room temperature. Structural analysis and mechanical tests indicated that acetylation treatment made CNF compatible with PCR, and that nano-dispersed CNF raised the mechanical strength of the PCR–CNF nanocomposite.

Thermoplastic Cassava Starch-PVA Composite Films with Cellulose Nanofibers from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches as Reinforcement Agent

Thermoplastic starch-polyvinyl alcohol composite films were prepared by casting method with cellulose nanofibers as reinforcement agent and glycerol as plasticizer. The obtained cellulose nanofibers with a diameter of  nm were isolated from oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFBs) by mechanical treatment. The addition of cellulose nanofibers until 3 wt% increased tensile strength and crystallinity of the composite films. In contrast, it decreased their elongation at break and water vapor transmission rate. Meanwhile, the addition of glycerol increased elongation at break and water vapor transmission rate of film matrix but lowers tensile strength of composite films.