Properties of cellulose nanofiber/bengkoang starch bionanocomposites: Effect of fiber loading

This paper reports on the effect of addition of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) from pineapple leaf on the properties of bengkoang starch bionanocomposite film prepared with ultrasonication. Starch, glycerol, and distilled water were mixed with 0.5, 0.1, 1.5 or 2 wt% of CNF. A gel made from this mixture was sonicated using an ultrasonic probe (600 W) for 5 min then cast in a petri dish. The addition of CNF resulted in a significant improvement (p <= 0.05) on the properties of the bionanocomposite. 2 wt% CNF loading led to a maximum tensile strength of 9.8 +/- 0.8 MPa; 160% higher than film without fibers. The highest CNF loading resulted in the lowest moisture absorption and water vapor permeability, and highest thermal resistance of the bionanocomposite films tested. These improved characteristics were due to the ultrasonication dispersing the CNF homogeneously throughout the starch matrix and suggest that this CNF enhanced bionanocomposite could have commercial potential where there is a demand for products based on food-safe renewable raw materials.