Improved Properties of Coconut Shell Regenerated Cellulose Biocomposite Films using Butyl Methacrylate

Butyl methacrylate acid (BMA) was used to enhance the properties of coconut shell (CS) and regenerated cellulose (RC) biocomposite films. The effects of coconut shell content and BMA on the tensile properties, crystallinity index (CrI), thermal properties, and morphology of biocomposite films were investigated. An increase in CS content, up to 3 wt.%, increased the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity, but decreased the elongation at break. The CS-RC biocomposite films treated with BMA exhibited higher tensile strength and modulus of elasticity but lower elongation at break. The crystallinity index (CrI) and thermal stability of CS-RC biocomposite films increased with increasing CS up to 3 wt.%. Treated CS biocomposite films had better thermal stability than untreated CS biocomposite films. The presence of BMA increased the crystallinity of CS regenerated cellulose biocomposite films. Enhancement of the interfacial interaction of CS-RC biocomposite films was revealed by morphological study