Development of a Starch-based Biocomposite Reinforced by Natural Fibers Extracted from Sawdust: Biodegradability Study

Abstract

In this work, natural biocomposites were developed from thermoplastic starch reinforced with natural fibers extracted from the sawdust, an industrial waste. The extracted fibers were thoroughly characterized for their chemical composition. To improve the adhesion properties, the fibers were treated with 5% NaOH solution at different time intervals of 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours. The resulting nanofibers were characterized using infrared spectroscopy. The starch/fiber biocomposites were then prepared using extracted fibers and starch and biocomposites were characterized comrehensively. For this purpose, various compositions of starch/nanofibers biocomposite were prepared and effect of different parameters were optimized. The effect of time for alkaline treatment of the fibers (2, 4, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h), mass percentage of added fibers (3%, 6%, 10%, and 12%), and fiber sizes (200 and 500 µm) on the moisture absorption rate of the synthesized biocomposites was studied. Finally, the biodegradability study of the synthesized biocomposite films (30 mm × 30 mm) was carried out by burial in the soil, in which a slurry in different proportions was incorporated. The samples lost their shape and became too fragile and brittle after 20 days of incubation, and after 30 days of burial, a total biodegradation of the films was observed, making it difficult to differentiate from the soil.