Physico-Chemical Characterization of Palm from Phoenix Dactylifera-L, Preparation of Cellulose Whiskers and Natural Rubber-Based Nanocomposites

The microstructure and chemical composition of the leaflets and the rachis of the palm from phoenix dactylifera L were investigated. It was found that the ratio of slot in the rachis was higher compared to the leaflets. The cellulose content was higher in the rachis whereas the lignin content in the leaflets was twice the one in the rachis. The aspect ratio of the cellulose whiskers extracted from the rachis (around 43) was significantly higher compared to the aspect ratio of those from the leaflets which is around 30. The former were used to prepare nanocomposite films using natural rubber as the matrix. These films were obtained by casting/evaporation. The thermal and mechanical properties of the ensuing nanocomposite films were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis and tensile tests. The stiffness of the natural rubber was significantly increased above the Tg. Favorable interactions between the polymeric matrix and the cellulosic nanoparticles were also evidenced.