Nanocomposites, consisting of a polymeric matrix and nanosized elements as reinforcement, have attracted significant scientific attention because of their high mechanical performance. A large variety of nanocomposites have been prepared using bio-based materials as a matrix and nanoreinforcement, so that it can reduce the dependence on nondegradable products and move to a sustainable materials basis. The objective of this study was to isolate nanocellulose from empty fruit bunch (EFB) fiber and their reinforcing effect on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/starch blend films. A series of PVA/starch films with different content of nanocellulose were prepared by solution casting method. Nanocellulose fiber with diameters ranging from 4 to 15 nm has been successfully prepared. On the other hand, PVA/starch films reinforced with nanocellulose fiber possess significantly improved properties compared to unreinforced film. From the results, PVA/starch films with the addition of 5% (v/v) of nanocellulose exhibited best combination of properties. This nanocomposite was found to have tensile strength at about 5.694 MPa and elongation at break was 481.85%. In addition to good mechanical properties, this nanocomposite has good water resistance and biodegradability.

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In recent years, the use of cellulose fibers in many fields has attracted significant scientific attention due to consumer and environmentally benign, especially in plastic industry, which has been used as cost–cutting fillers and hence provides the possibility of reinforcing polymers. Cellulose can be extracted from natural fibers by chemical and mechanical methods. However, the existing procedures either produce low yields and not environment friendly or energy efficient. The objective of this study was to develop a novel process that uses ionic liquid followed by alkaline method to extract cellulose from empty fruit bunch (EFB) fiber. Subsequently, the properties of original fiber and cellulose were determined by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, X–Ray Diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. The results of the chemical compositions revealed that the modified alkaline treatment was able to remove a large fraction of lignin and hemicelluloses compared to unmodified alkaline treatment. Thus, this process represents an efficient treatment in extracting cellulose of highest yield.

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In this study, production of biodiesel from palm oil using cockle shell wastes as catalyst was carried out using transesterification reaction. The objectives of this study are to analyze and characterize calcium oxide (CaO) from cockle shell wastes and to determine the catalytic activity of derived shell catalyst towards the percentage yield of biodiesel produced. The effect of methanol to oil ratio, reaction time and reaction temperature were investigated. The types of esters content in biodiesel and the functional group presence in catalyst were determined using FTIR and GC-MS analysis. The results showed that the optimum condition for cockle shell wastes achieved maximum yield of biodiesel (78.05%) is at reaction temperature 50°C within 1 hour with 9:1 methanol to oil ratio. Meanwhile for commercial CaO, the maximum yield is 73.95% at 60°C within 3 hours for 3:1 methanol to oil ratio. From the result obtained, this indicated that cockle shell wastes have potential to substitute commercial CaO as catalyst in transesterification reaction.