Production of biodegradable starch nanocomposites using cellulose nanocrystals extracted from coconut fibers

Abstract Different polymeric matrices have been investigated for use in the development of biodegradable films. The incorporation of cellulose nanocrystals in such films has particularly attracted attention because of the potential for achieving improved properties of starch nanocomposites. In the present study, cellulose nanocrystals were extracted from coconut fibers and incorporated in cassava and potato starch films at different concentrations. The properties of the different nanobiocomposite films were comparatively evaluated, including their barrier and mechanical properties. All the films, regardless of the nanocrystal concentration, were found to exhibit low solubility in water, with increased moisture content particularly observed in the films with higher nanocrystal concentrations. The potato starch film with the lowest nanocrystal concentration was found to exhibit the best mechanical properties. The observations of this study indicated that the source of the starch and the nanocrystal concentration determined the properties of the nanobiocomposite films.

摘要 目前已有多项研究围绕可生物降解薄膜开发，对多种聚合物基质展开了探索。将纤维素纳米晶（cellulose nanocrystals）掺入此类薄膜的方案尤其受到关注，因其具备改善淀粉基纳米复合材料性能的潜力。本研究从椰子纤维中提取纤维素纳米晶，并将其以不同浓度分别掺入木薯淀粉与马铃薯淀粉薄膜中。随后对所得不同纳米生物复合薄膜（nanobiocomposite films）的各项性能进行对比评估，涵盖阻隔性能与力学性能。研究结果显示，无论纤维素纳米晶浓度高低，所有薄膜均表现出较低的水溶性；且纤维素纳米晶浓度越高的薄膜，其水分含量显著升高。其中，纤维素纳米晶浓度最低的马铃薯淀粉薄膜展现出最优的力学性能。本研究表明，淀粉来源与纤维素纳米晶浓度共同决定了纳米生物复合薄膜的各项性能。