4.6 Article

Improved Hydrophobicity of Macroalgae Biopolymer Film Incorporated with Kenaf Derived CNF Using Silane Coupling Agent

Journal

MOLECULES
Volume 26, Issue 8, Pages -

Publisher

MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26082254

Keywords

macroalgae; kenaf fibre; silane treatment; hydrophilicity; nanocellulose; reinforcement

Funding

  1. Universiti Sains Malaysia [RUI 1001/PTEKIND8014119]

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The study reinforced carrageenan macroalgae biopolymer with cellulose nanofibrils from kenaf bast fibers, followed by treatment with silane for hydrophobic enhancement. The modified biofilms showed significantly improved strength, moisture resistance, and thermal stability compared to unmodified films, with the silane treatment further enhancing these properties. Good interfacial interaction was observed in the modified biopolymer films, which exhibited improved hydrophobic properties and potential for packaging applications.
Hydrophilic behaviour of carrageenan macroalgae biopolymer, due to hydroxyl groups, has limited its applications, especially for packaging. In this study, macroalgae were reinforced with cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) isolated from kenaf bast fibres. The macroalgae CNF film was after that treated with silane for hydrophobicity enhancement. The wettability and functional properties of unmodified macroalgae CNF films were compared with silane-modified macroalgae CNF films. Characterisation of the unmodified and modified biopolymers films was investigated. The atomic force microscope (AFM), SEM morphology, tensile properties, water contact angle, and thermal behaviour of the biofilms showed that the incorporation of Kenaf bast CNF remarkably increased the strength, moisture resistance, and thermal stability of the macroalgae biopolymer films. Moreover, the films' modification using a silane coupling agent further enhanced the strength and thermal stability of the films apart from improved water-resistance of the biopolymer films compared to unmodified films. The morphology and AFM showed good interfacial interaction of the components of the biopolymer films. The modified biopolymer films exhibited significantly improved hydrophobic properties compared to the unmodified films due to the enhanced dispersion resulting from the silane treatment. The improved biopolymer films can potentially be utilised as packaging materials.

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