Preparation and Properties of Bagasses Cellulose Microcrystal Reinforced Poly(<i>Vinyl alcohol</i>) Composite Film

Abstract

The biodegradable composite films were prepared from bagasse microcrystalline cellulose as filler and poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA) as polymeric matrix. The crystallinity, the tensile properties and the thermal properties of the composites were tested. Bagasse microcrystalline cellulose was distributed in PVA films as the crystalline state. The results show that the tensile properties and thermal properties were improved with the addition of bagasse microcrystalline cellulose. When bagasse microcrystalline cellulose mass fraction was 5%, both temperature of initial decomposition and maximum weight loss rate of composite film were raised by 11.71°C and 36.86°C, and the tensile strength increased by 17.88%, and the elongation at break increased by 36.62% compared to those of pure PVA.