Preparation and Characterization of Cellulose Nanofibrils from Coconut Coir Fibers and Their Reinforcements in Biodegradable Composite Films

Coconut waste husks were effectively utilized in this study as a promising cellulose source for production of purified coir cellulose (PCC) after multiple treatments, e.g., ultrasonic-assisted solvent immersion, alkaline treatment, bleaching, etc. As to upgrade the self-value of coir cellulose based products and further broaden their applications in light of biorefinery, coir cellulose nanofibrils (CCNF) with an average diameter of 5.6 ± 1.5 nm were prepared by selection of a milder TEMPO-mediated oxidation system (TEMPO/NaClO/NaClO, pH = 4.8) accompanied by subsequent ultrasonic treatment. The cellulose nanofibrils were comprehensively characterized in terms of their functional groups, crystallinity, morphology, and thermal stability. The potential reinforcement of CCNFs as a filler for biodegradable PVA based films was investigated and the main properties including tensile strength, elongation at break, and thermal stability of CCNF/PVA composite films were significantly enhanced especially when 3% of CCNF (based on dry film weight) was applied.