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Effect of Teff Straw (Eragrostis Tef) Based Microcrystalline Cellulose on Enhancement of Thermo- Mechanical and Microstructural Properties of PVA Bio-Degradable Polymers

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Abstract

This study investigated the potential of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) fibers, isolated from Teff straw (TS) using a chemical treatment with metal catalysts, as reinforcement for polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films. The effects of MCC type (derived from different metal catalysts) and loading (0, 2, 5, and 8 wt%) on the physico-mechanical properties (including thermal stability) of PVA films, were investigated. The incorporation of MCCs significantly improved the films’ mechanical strength. Compared to neat PVA, the tensile strength increased by up to 49%, 71%, and 67% when incorporating Cr(III)-MCC, Fe(III)Cl-MCC, and Fe(III)-MCC, respectively, at a 5% loading level. The thermal stability of the PVA/MCC composites also improved, with a higher onset degradation temperature compared to neat PVA. For instance, The Tonset for the neat PVA, Cr(III)-MCC, Fe(III)Cl-MCC, and Fe(III)-MCC-based PVA films were 295, 305, 308, and 303 0C at a level of 5% MCC content, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed good dispersion of MCC fibers within the PVA matrix, indicating strong interaction between the materials. Overall, TS MCCs show promise as low-cost, bio-based reinforcement for producing biodegradable films with enhanced mechanical properties and thermal stability, making them suitable for various applications like food packaging.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Addis Ababa Institute of Technology, Addis Ababa University, and the Faculty of Chemical and Food Engineering, Bahir Dar University, for providing the necessary support and allowing access to laboratory facilities in the course of the study.

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The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received for the study and manuscript preparation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemical and Bioengineering, Addis Ababa Institute of Technology, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Equar Gebre Assefa, Zebene Kiflie & Hundessa Dessalegn Demsash

  2. Faculty of Chemical and Food Engineering, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

    Nigus Gabbiye Habtu

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  1. Equar Gebre Assefa
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  2. Zebene Kiflie
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  3. Hundessa Dessalegn Demsash
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  4. Nigus Gabbiye Habtu
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Contributions

E. Gebre. and H. Desalegn conceived of the original idea. E. Gebre did material preparations, all experimental works, and samples’ analyses. Z. Kiflie supervised the study. Interpretations of results were done by E. Gebre and Z. Kifle. E. Gebre prepared the draft manuscript and Z. Kiflie edited the final manuscript. N. Gabbiye made a substantial contribution to the revision of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Zebene Kiflie.

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Assefa, E.G., Kiflie, Z., Demsash, H.D. et al. Effect of Teff Straw (Eragrostis Tef) Based Microcrystalline Cellulose on Enhancement of Thermo- Mechanical and Microstructural Properties of PVA Bio-Degradable Polymers. Waste Biomass Valor (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-024-02553-w

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