Title: Producing nanocellulose from kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L) as a nanoreinforcing agent for polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film

Authors: Siti Aminah; Joko Hermanianto; Nugraha Edhi Suyatma; Evi Savitri Iriani

Addresses: Food Technology and Nutrition Department, Faculty of Halal Food Science, Djuanda University, Jl. Tol Ciawi No. 1, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia ' Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Food Science and Technology Department, IPB University, Bogor, 16680, Indonesia ' Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Food Science and Technology Department, IPB University, Bogor, 16680, Indonesia ' Indonesian Center for Agricultural, Postharvest Research and Development, Jl. Tentara Pelajar No. 12 Cimanggu-Bogor 16114, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract: Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a polymer used as an active layer alternative. These advantages depend on the humidity rate or the water vapour transmission rate. Kenaf is a plant rich in fibre and used as a primary source of cellulose. This research aimed to analyse PVA films' physical, mechanical, and morphological characteristics by adding nanocellulose kenaf and glycerol. The cellulose isolation of kenaf was done by the smoothing of the fibre method, delignification, and bleaching. The steps for producing nanocellulose were using 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy, ultrafine grinding, and ultrasonication. Nanocomposite film (PVA + nanocellulose + glycerol) was produced using the solvent casting method. The treatments in this study were the addition of cellulose nanofiber (0%, 3%, and 5%) and the addition of glycerol (0% and 2%). The results showed that adding nanocellulose can increase the total value of colour difference (ΔE) and tensile strength but reduce the value of light transmission, water vapour transmission rate (WVTR), and elongation. The addition of glycerol has a positive effect on the elongation value but has a negative impact on the WVTR value and tensile strength. The film had the highest total colour difference (ΔE), adding 5% nanofiber cellulose and 2% glycerol (1.62 ± 0.49). The best tensile strength was sorted in film, adding 5% nanofiber cellulose without glycerol. The highest elongation break was on nanocomposite film, adding 5% cellulose and 2% glycerol. We concluded that reinforcing nanocellulose kenaf can enhance PVA film's physical and mechanical characteristics.

Keywords: kenaf; nanocomposite film; PVA; polyvinyl alcohol; 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNBM.2024.137696

International Journal of Nano and Biomaterials, 2024 Vol.10 No.3, pp.189 - 203

Accepted: 03 Dec 2023
Published online: 02 Apr 2024 *

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