Produção e caracterização de biocompósitos poliméricos reforçados com microfibrilas de celulose a partir da folha do abacaxi

Abstract

Through the need to minimize environmental impacts, arising from the use of materials derived from fossil fuels and not biodegradable, new raw materials derived from renewable sources have been the object of study of numerous studies that seek the development of more ecological alternatives. In this context, starch, one can cite the use of biopolymers, such as corn starch film, for its biodegradable character and low economic cost. Its application remains limited, due to its high hydrophilicity, compromising its mechanical properties when requested. Biodegradable materials have been studied to be used as reinforcement of the films, and reduce their hydrophilicity. Thus, the objective of the study was to develop a biofilm, through the casting method, with a biopolymer matrix formed from starch and glycerol as plasticizer, reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals obtained from pineapple crown fiber. The film was characterized by means of physical (thickness, solubility, moisture content, water absorption), morphological (optical microscopy, scanning electron microscope), mechanical (tensile test) and thermal (thermogravimetry) analyses. The result of the study showed a film with the appearance of cellulose microfibers, presenting improvements in its properties, with a decrease of 7.98% in solubility and 42.85% in water absorption, an increase to Maximum Stress values of 2.75MPa and Elastic Modulus of 2.58MPa, and relative improvement in its thermal stability