The role of cellulose nanofibrillated fibers produced with combined supercritical carbon dioxide and high-pressure homogenization process as reinforcement material in biodegradable polymer

Abstract

The production of kenaf bast cellulose nanofibrillated fiber (CNF) using a combined method of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) and high-pressure homogenization as the reinforcement with biopolymer were studied. The obtained CNF was used as reinforcement in polylactic acid using the solvent casting method. The obtained CNF were verified using TEM and FTIR analysis to approve the effectiveness of the technique. The dispersion of kenaf bast cellulose nanofibrillated fiber in modified PLA was studied with scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Further characterization, such as, mechanical, thermal, and wettability properties of the composite was also analyzed. The TEM and FTIR confirmed the formation of nanofiber, and the FTIR result showed a typical bond present in cellulose nanofibrillated fiber. The SEM and AFM showed good dispersion of the kenaf bast cellulose nanofibrilated fiber in PLA. The mechanical and thermal properties of the composite were significantly improved compared with the neat PLA. The wettability showed that the addition of CNF increased the hydrophilicity of the sample. The production of CNF through combine methods displayed comparable properties to those produced from conventional methods and the CNF preparation method in this study is simplified and adaptable for potential industrial application.