Mechanical Properties and Biodegradability of Starch-based Biocomposite Films Reinforced with Microcrystalline Cellulose from Rice Embryo

Abstract

In this research, glycerol-plasticized cassava starch/San Pa Tong sticky rice embryo plant microcrystalline cellulose (SPT-MCC) biocomposite films were prepared by solvent casting technique. SPT-MCC were extracted from sticky rice embryo plant by alkaline delignification process, bleached with hydrogen peroxide and hydrolysis with sulfuric acid, respectively. Effect of SPT-MCC content (0-60% wt% based on starch content) on thermal properties, mechanical properties and biodegradability of the biocomposite films were studied. Biodegradation of biocomposite films were investigated by soil burial test methods for 8 days. The biodegradability test results were compared with the degradation of three types commercial plastic bags. The result showed that thermal stability of biocomposite films decreased with the increasing of SPT-MCC addition while the tensile strength and Young's Modulus of biocomposite films increased with the increment of SPT-MCC content. Starch-based biocomposite films reinforced with 10-40% wt% of SPT-MCC completely decomposed within 3 day, while the 50-60% wt% of SPT-MCC biocomposite films entirely degrade within 8 day.