Improving hydrophilic behavior of cellulose from sugarcane leaves and its application in biopolymer

Functionalized cellulose from sugar cane leave (SCF) which can provide relief for a variety of environmental problems was used for producing new biomaterials. The SCF was treated with chloroacetic acid and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to produce a functionalized SCF. The solubility, moisture content and moisture absorption of the modified SCF (MSCF) were investigated and characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR). Then, the MSCF was blended with poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and natural rubber (NR) to form biopolymers. The biopolymers were characterized by FTIR, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). After that, the biodegradation of the biopolymers was investigated within 30 days, the results showed the amount of MSCF was more than 40 wt% to provide high biodegradable ability value. The experimental results showed an improvement in the elongation properties from 200 to 240% and a reduction in swelling in water to 75% after that the addition of MSCF up to 25 (% wt.). It was found that the specimen was more porous observed by SEM after the addition of MSCF. Therefore, this work was interested using this specimen to absorb methylene blue (MB). It was found that when 15-20% of MSCF was added to the sample, there was rise in value. When the amount of MSCF in the solution increased (15–30%), the amount of MB that was absorbed from the specimen increased from 220 to 550 mgg-1. Moreover, a cPVA/NR blend was analyzed by using SEM. SEM can be used to examine the increased density of the sample due to reduced porosity, resulting in a 600% reduction in specimen swelling. The elongation measurements at the break, the MSCF is a plasticizer for biocomposites at a concentration of MSCF 20%, showed 236% elongation at the break. This research discovered that adding more MSCF which made the specimen provided more hydrophilic behavior. It has a relatively high swell ratio that reaches 210 percent. The swelling in the toluene solution was consequently reduced to 110 percent by adding 25 (%t wt.) of MSCF. The result showed that a cPVA/NR/VC blend used as polymer matrix for encapsulation of vitamin C. The VC drug release was burst at frist stage due to more porous and hydrophilic of this matrix. The applications of this new materials were intended to use as an absorber for wastewater, a polymer matrix for vitamin C delivery and a face mask.