Effects of Formic Acid Treatment on Properties of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB)-Based All Cellulose Composite (ACC) Films

This study explored the potential of using oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) in the production all-cellulose composite (ACC) films. The isolation process of the raw OPEFB fibre was carried out using chemical process to extract the OPEFB nanocellulose. The ACC films from the OPEFB nanocellulose and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) were prepared using dimethylacetamide (DMAC) and lithium chloride LiCl solvent system whereby the partially dissolved cellulose was transformed into the matrix phase surrounding the remaining non-dissolved fibre. The ACC films containing 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% (wt. vol^−1) OPEFB cellulose and 3% (wt. vol^−1) MCC were prepared and the effects of formic acid as chemical treatment for the OPEFB nanocellulose on tensile properties of the ACC film were investigated. Results indicate that the chemical treatment using formic acid has reduced the hydroxyl group composition in the cellulose, and caused greater dissolution of the cellulose during the formation of the ACC film. As a result, the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of the ACC film were significantly enhanced. However, both untreated and treated ACC films experienced the reduction in both properties when the cellulose concentration was increased from 1% to 4% (wt. vol^−1), due to the saturation of the cellulose particles and non-homogeneity of the ACC system. Findings also suggested that the formic acid-treated ACC film tends to absorb more moisture as compared to the untreated composite films, allowing greater biodegradation rate when buried in soil.