Nanocellulose Produced from Rice Hulls and its Effect on the Properties of Biodegradable Starch Films

Rice hull is a residue from agro-industry that can be used to produce nanocellulose. We produced nanocellulose from rice hulls through bleaching (with a 5%NaOH solution followed by a peracetic acid solution) and acid hydrolysis at a mild temperature (45 degrees C) followed by ultrasonication. We investigated the microstructure, crystallinity and thermal stability of these materials and studied their effects on the properties of starch films. After bleaching, the compact structure around the cellulosic fibers was removed, and the lignin content of the residue decreased from 7.22 to 4.22%. The obtained nanocellulose presented a higher crystallinity (up 70%), higher thermal stability than the raw material and lignin contents below 0.35%. The nanocellulose formed interconnected webs of tiny fibers (< 100 nm in diameter), which decreased the opacity, water vapor permeability and improved the mechanical properties when added as reinforcement in the starch films.