Anti-UV, antibacterial, strong, and high thermal resistant polyvinyl alcohol/Uncaria gambir extract biocomposite film

Pure polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) has some weaknesses, such as low values of ultraviolet (UV)-light protection, anti-bacteria, tensile strength, and thermal resistance. We have found a new additive, i.e., Uncaria gambir (UG) extract, added to PVA to improve these properties. This study characterized PVA/UG biocomposite film prepared from the various polyphenol UG (0.05%, 0.5%, and 1%) loadings in pure PVA. The use of 1%UG resulted in almost complete UV-C absorption of about 100% without sacrificing transparency (71.8%) at 650 nm wavelength. The addition of 1%UG also increased the tensile strength by 66.8%, toughness by 93.9%, maximum decomposition temperature by 9.5%, and antibacterial properties compared to pure PVA. These findings indicate that UG could be a potential filler for PVA-based biocomposite films requiring good UV light protection, antibacterial, tensile, and thermal properties. (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

This study found that the addition of Uncaria gambir extract to polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) can improve its properties such as UV-light protection, antibacterial, tensile strength, and thermal resistance. Adding 1% Uncaria gambir resulted in significant improvements in these properties.