Effect of Kenaf Fibre as Reinforcing Fillers in Corn Starch-Based Biocomposite Film

Abstract

Biocomposite films were prepared using corn starch (CS), sorbitol as a plasticiser, and multi-scale kenaf fibre as reinforcing filler. The microstructure and the physical, tensile, and water barrier properties of corn starch reinforced with kenaf fibre were characterised and investigated. The biocomposite films were developed via the solution casting technique using 10 g of CS with 0 to 8% kenaf fibre as filler treated with 30% (w/w, starch basis) of sorbitol. The increased amount of kenaf fibre introduced contributed to improvements in film thickness, weight, and density. Conversely, slight reductions in the biocomposite films’ moisture content, water absorption, and solubility rating were 9.86–5.88%, 163.13–114.68%, and 38.98–25.17%, respectively. An X-ray diffraction (XRD) test revealed that the films were amorphous and that there was no effect on the crystallinity structure of films with kenaf fibre reinforcement. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and rheological analysis indicated that kenaf fibre could weaken the molecular interaction of the film matrix. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) revealed the arrangement and uniform distribution of kenaf fibre at 0.2–0.8%. The incorporation of kenaf increased the tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and elongation at break until (6% wt) of fibre. With the kenaf fibre incorporation, the optimal tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and elongation at break of the films reached 17.74 MPa, 1324.74 MPa, and 48.79%, respectively. Overall, the introduction of kenaf fibre as filler enhanced the physical and mechanical properties of CS films.

Morphology and selected properties of kenaf fiber/cornhusk reinforced corn starch hybrid biocomposites

“…The XRD curves of CS-K/CH at different CHF loading, are shown in Figure 5. All samples displayed patterns of behavior that were comparable to those in the CS/K film from the prior investigation [25], the only difference was that after the addition of fiber loading, the main peaks' intensity improved. Sharp 2θ peaks diffracted at angles of 16.70°, 16.82°, and 1.86° were established by the gelatinization and retrogradation of starch molecules in the crystalline structure of the CS-film without lignocellulosic fiber.…”

“…Next, 10 g of pure CS was added to the solution and additional 20 minutes of the heating process was continued at the same temperature. Following that, KF was added to the solution and the parameters were selected based on our previous work [25]. The CHF at various loading (2, 3, 6, and 8 wt%) based on dry starch was used as a hybridized agent.…”

“…Composites made of natural fibers are less resistant to moisture because hydroxyl and polar groups are moisture-absorbers [18,25,35,40,41]. Therefore, the influence of the water absorption rate on the CS-K/CH hybrid composites properties was investigated.…”

Effects of Mung Bean (Vigna radiata) Protein Isolate on Rheological, Textural, and Structural Properties of Native Corn Starch

“…Starch is a tasteless and odorless polysaccharide that is cultivated to produce more than 50 million tons/year globally. It has a semi-crystalline structure that is typically made of amylose (70–85%) and amylopectin (15–30%) macromolecules [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Starch is widely utilized in many food and non-food industries, due to its low-cost, easy availability, biodegradability, and non-toxicity characteristics.…”

Structural performance of alkali/acid‐ultrasound modified Agave fibers during the melt mixing process with polyvinyl alcohol

“…Particularly, the Agave fibers (AF) could be used as reinforcing fillers in polymeric materials for packaging applications, contributing to the management and valorization of this by‐product of the tequila industry in the context of the circular economy 2 since approximately 40% of the total wet weight of the Agave plant corresponds to residual bagasse 3 . Likewise, the use of a semicrystalline and biodegradable polymer, such as poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) for the development of a biobased film to substitute traditional plastics, could aid to solve the ongoing environmental crisis caused by the extensive usage of plastic‐based products 4 …”