Physical, Mechanical, and Thermal Properties of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Nanocrystalline Cellulose Bioplastic Film

The bioplastic film based on Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) for food packaging has been widely developed because of its biodegradable properties and safety. Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) is used as filler to improve mechanical strength. This study investigated how adding NCC into PVA films affects the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties. Combine acid hydrolysis 46 wt.% and ultrasonication process success to isolate commercial microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) became nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC). It has been characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). NCC with needle shape form with an aspect ratio (L/D) of 12.4 has been high crystallinity index (76.4%). Addition of 6 wt.% NCC into PVA film improves the tensile strength and elongation by 35.30 MPa and 65.54%, respectively. The bioplastic film gives a barrier on the UV rays by 75% and still has good transparency. The thermal stability improves, indicated by the glass transition temperature (Tg) increase from 109 to 114°C and maximum temperature (Tmax) from 275 to 300 °C.