Production of Polyvinyl Alcohol-Alginate-Nanocellulose Fibers

In this study, nanocellulose is isolated from oil palm empty fruit bunches using ultrafine grinding and ultrasonication. Here, nanocellulose, a reinforcing agent, is mixed with polyvinyl alcohol and sodium alginate, which act as the matrices. Nanocellulose-based fibers are produced via the wet spinning method using calcium chloride as a coagulant solvent. The effects of the nanocellulose content on the morphological, mechanical, and in vitro biocompatibility properties of the produced fibers are then examined, with the results demonstrating that the increase in nanocellulose content produces fibers with a rougher cross-section and higher tensile strength with the addition of nanocellulose up to 3%. Meanwhile, the crystallinity of the fibers increases with the addition of nanocellulose content of up to 5%. The addition of 1% nanocellulose produce fibers with better in vitro biocompatibility, which is confirmed by the higher cell viability and lower inhibition.

Automated summary

In this study, nanocellulose is extracted from oil palm empty fruit bunches and used as a reinforcing agent in the production of nanocellulose-based fibers. The addition of nanocellulose improves the roughness and tensile strength of the fibers, as well as their crystallinity. Furthermore, the inclusion of 1% nanocellulose enhances the biocompatibility of the fibers in vitro.