Effect of Microcrystalline Cellulose from Paper Pulp on Poly(Lactic Acid) Properties as Reinforced Fiber in Biodegradable-Material Application

Poonsup  umpunkan; Saranya Popraithong; Pattara Somnuake; Wikoramet Teeka; Sirirat Wacharawichanant

Authors

Poonsup umpunkan Silpakorn University, Thailand
Saranya Popraithong Silpakorn University, Thailand
Pattara Somnuake Silpakorn University, Thailand
Wikoramet Teeka Silpakorn University, Thailand
Sirirat Wacharawichanant Silpakorn University, Thailand

Keywords:

Poly(Lactic Acid), Microcrystalline Cellulose, Reinforced Fibers

Abstract

This study investigates the application of thermal processing techniques in packaging, focusing on the development and characterization of a composite material comprising poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and cellulose derived from paper pulp (PP). Cellulose sourced from the paper industry is treated with sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid under controlled temperature conditions. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy reveals structural similarities between the synthesized cellulose and standard cellulose. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicates a potentially high crystalline structure in the microcellulose, about 81% from raw PP at 63%. In comparison, the commercial microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was about 82%, and peaks were similar to those of MCC. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis reveals a reduction in the size distribution of cellulose after processing. The morphology of the polymer composite shows heterogeneous dispersion of cellulose within the PLA matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results indicate that the crystallization and melting enthalpies in the composite material are comparable to those of its components. Thermal stability shows a lower degradation temperature, about 10°C, making degradation easier. Adding microcrystalline cellulose enhances the tensile strength (50 to 67 MPa) and Young's modulus (2424 to 2898 MPa) of the PLA/cellulose composites. However, stability issues arise at a cellulose content of 5 phr compared to neat PLA. Furthermore, UV-vis spectroscopy demonstrates that the PLA/cellulose composites exhibit improved UV-blocking ability. Lastly, the materials show suitable results for biodegradable-material applications.

References

B. Baran, "Plastic waste as a challenge for sustainable development and circularity in the European Union," Ekonomia i Prawo. Economics and Law, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 7-20, 2020.

K. Madhavan Nampoothiri, N. R. Nair, and R. P. John, "An overview of the recent developments in polylactide (PLA) research," Bioresour Technol, vol. 101, no. 22, pp. 8493-501, Nov 2010, doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2010.05.092.

P. Kimani, P. Kareru, S. Madivoli, P. Kairigo, E. Maina, and O. Rechab, "Comparative study of carboxymethyl cellulose synthesis from selected Kenyan biomass," Chem. Sci. Int. J, vol. 17, pp. 1-8, 2016.

B. E. Arteaga-Ballesteros, A. Guevara-Morales, E. S. Martín-Martínez, U. Figueroa-López, and H. Vieyra, "Composite of polylactic acid and microcellulose from kombucha membranes," e-Polymers, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 015-026, 2020, doi: 10.1515/epoly-2021-0001.

P. Somnuake, P. Puttawong, and S. Wacharawichanant, "Morphology and Properties of Poly (Lactic Acid)/Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Blends with Micro-Cellulose Fibers from Paper Pulp," Advances in Science and Technology, vol. 150, pp. 3-10, 2024.

F. K. Liew et al., "Synthesis and Characterization of Cellulose from Green Bamboo by Chemical Treatment with Mechanical Process," Journal of Chemistry, vol. 2015, pp. 1-6, 2015, doi: 10.1155/2015/212158.

K. Piekarska, P. Sowinski, E. Piorkowska, M. M. U. Haque, and M. Pracella, "Structure and properties of hybrid PLA nanocomposites with inorganic nanofillers and cellulose fibers," Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, vol. 82, pp. 34-41, 2016, doi: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2015.11.019.

R. Liu, H. Yu, and Y. Huang, "Structure and morphology of cellulose in wheat straw," Cellulose, vol. 12, pp. 25-34, 2005.

L. Yang et al., "Effects of carbon nanotube on the thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of PLA/CNT printed parts in the FDM process," Synthetic Metals, vol. 253, pp. 122-130, 2019.

A. Gupta, N. Mulchandani, M. Shah, S. Kumar, and V. Katiyar, "Functionalized chitosan mediated stereocomplexation of poly (lactic acid): Influence on crystallization, oxygen permeability, wettability and biocompatibility behavior," Polymer, vol. 142, pp. 196-208, 2018.

W. Teeka, K. Srisujaritpanich, P. Somnuake, and S. Wacharawichanant, "Development of Biodegradable Poly (Lactic Acid)/Lignin Treated Alkyl Ketene Dimer Properties for Packaging Applications," Advances in Science and Technology, vol. 150, pp. 11-20, 2024.

T. C. Mokhena, J. S. Sefadi, E. R. Sadiku, M. J. John, M. J. Mochane, and A. Mtibe, "Thermoplastic Processing of PLA/Cellulose Nanomaterials Composites," Polymers (Basel), vol. 10, no. 12, Dec 9 2018, doi: 10.3390/polym10121363.

S. Wacharawichanant, N. Wimonsupakit, and S. Kuhaudomlap, "Comparison of Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Polyoxymethylene/Cellulose and Poly(Lactic Acid)/Cellulose Composites," Materials Science Forum, vol. 916, pp. 19-23, 2018, doi: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.916.19.

A. Sonia and K. P. Dasan, "Celluloses microfibers (CMF)/poly (ethylene-co-vinyl acetate)(EVA) composites for food packaging applications: A study based on barrier and biodegradation behavior," Journal of Food Engineering, vol. 118, no. 1, pp. 78-89, 2013.

E. Frollini, N. Bartolucci, L. Sisti, and A. Celli, "Poly (butylene succinate) reinforced with different lignocellulosic fibers," Industrial Crops and Products, vol. 45, pp. 160-169, 2013.

F. Luzi et al., "Production and characterization of PLA_PBS biodegradable blends reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals extracted from hemp fibres," Industrial Crops and Products, vol. 93, pp. 276-289, 2016.

N. Shanmugam, R. Nagarkar, and M. Kurhade, "Microcrystalline cellulose powder from banana pseudostem fibres using bio-chemical route," 2015.

A. A. Vaidya, K. D. Murton, D. A. Smith, and G. Dedual, "A review on organosolv pretreatment of softwood with a focus on enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose," Biomass conversion and biorefinery, vol. 12, no. 11, pp. 5427-5442, 2022.

R. Pavithra, S. Gunasekaran, E. Sailatha, and S. Kamatchi, "Investigations on paper making raw materials and determination of paper quality by FTIR-UATR and UV-Vis DRS spectroscopy," Int. J. Curr. Res. Aca. Rev, vol. 3, pp. 42-59, 2015.

J. Gong, J. Li, J. Xu, Z. Xiang, and L. Mo, "Research on cellulose nanocrystals produced from cellulose sources with various polymorphs," RSC advances, vol. 7, no. 53, pp. 33486-33493, 2017.

H. Oubani, A. Abbas, and A. Harris, "Investigation on the mechanical pretreatment of cellulose by high intensity ultrasound and ball milling," Proceedings of the Chemeca: Engineering a Better World, pp. 1765-1775, 2011.

W. R. W. Daud, M. H. M. Kassim, and M. A. S. Mohamded, "Cellulose phosphate from oil palm biomass as potential biomaterials," BioResources, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 1719-1740, 2011.

W. Lee, J. Lee, J. W. Chung, and S.-Y. Kwak, "Enhancement of tensile toughness of poly (lactic acid)(PLA) through blending of a polydecalactone-grafted cellulose copolymer: The effect of mesophase transition on mechanical properties," International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, vol. 193, pp. 1103-1113, 2021.

T.-W. Shyr, H.-C. Ko, and H.-L. Chen, "Homocrystallization and stereocomplex crystallization behaviors of as-spun and hot-drawn poly (l-lactide)/poly (d-lactide) blended fibers during heating," Polymers, vol. 11, no. 9, p. 1502, 2019.

H. Urayama, T. Kanamori, and Y. Kimura, "Microstructure and thermomechanical properties of glassy polylactides with different optical purity of the lactate units," Macromolecular Materials and Engineering, vol. 286, no. 11, pp. 705-713, 2001.

A. Stoddart, W. J. Feast, and S. P. Rannard, "Synthesis and thermal studies of aliphatic polyurethane dendrimers: a geometric approach to the Flory–Fox equation for dendrimer glass transition temperature," Soft Matter, vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 1096-1108, 2012.

T. W. Shyr, H. C. Ko, and H. L. Chen, "Homocrystallization and Stereocomplex Crystallization Behaviors of As-Spun and Hot-Drawn Poly(l-lactide)/Poly(d-lactide) Blended Fibers During Heating," Polymers (Basel), vol. 11, no. 9, Sep 14 2019, doi: 10.3390/polym11091502.

U. Saeed, "Wood cellulose fibers reinforced polylactic acid composite: mechanical, thermomechanical characteristics and orientation of fiber," AIMS Materials Science, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 9-23, 2020, doi: 10.3934/matersci.2020.1.9.

Z. Yang, X. Li, J. Si, Z. Cui, and K. Peng, "Morphological, mechanical and thermal properties of poly (lactic acid)(PLA)/cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) composites nanofiber for tissue engineering," Journal of Wuhan University of Technology-Mater. Sci. Ed., vol. 34, pp. 207-215, 2019.

H. Yang, R. Yan, H. Chen, D. H. Lee, and C. Zheng, "Characteristics of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin pyrolysis," Fuel, vol. 86, no. 12-13, pp. 1781-1788, 2007.