Biodegradable materials made from c

Biodegradable materials made from cassava starch and kenaf fibers were prepared using a solution casting
method. Kenaf fibers were treated with NaOH, bleached with sodium chlorite and acetic buffer solution,
and subsequently acid hydrolyzed to obtain cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). Biocomposites in the form of
films were prepared by mixing starch and glycerol/sorbitol with various filler compositions (0–10 wt%).
X-ray diffraction revealed that fiber crystallinity increased after each stage of treatment. Morphological
observations and size reductions of the extracted cellulose and CNCs were studied using field emission
scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The effects of different treatments
and filler contents of the biocomposites were evaluated through mechanical tests. Results showed that
the tensile strengths and moduli of the biocomposites increased after each treatment and the optimum
filler content was 6%.