Microfibrillated cellulose-reinforced nonedible starch-based thermoset biocomposites

The present research focuses on developing nonedible starch-based resin to replace the currently used edible starches (corn, potato, etc.), protein (soy) as well as some of the petroleum-based resins for fiber-reinforced composite applications. Starch was extracted from mango seeds, a waste source freely available in tropical countries. Micro fibrillated cellulose (MFC) obtained from kraft pulp was used to reinforce mango seed starch-based resin in order to take advantage of the chemical similarity between the starch and the cellulose which results in good interfacial bonding. Uniform dispersion of MFC in starch was obtained using homogenizer. Further, this MFC/MSS mixture was crosslinked using an environment friendly crosslinker, 1,2,3,4-butane tetracarboxylic acid (BTCA). Crosslinking was confirmed directly using ATR-FTIR spectra. MFC/MSS biocomposite specimens were prepared by solution casting method. The characterization of MFC/MSS biocomposites showed that their tensile and thermal properties were comparable to the edible starch-based composites. The thermoset resins obtained from agricultural mango seed waste can be used to replace currently available resins derived from the edible sources or even some petroleum-based resins for packaging, coatings, mulches, and other applications. (C) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.