Thermoplastic Starch–PVA Nanocomposite Films Reinforced with Nanocellulose from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (OPEFBs): Effect of Starch Type

Abstract

This research studied the effect of three types of starch on the properties of thermoplastic starch (TPS)–Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA)–cellulose nanocomposite films. Three different types of starch with amylose and amylopectin contents used were corn starch, cassava starch, and sago starch. Meanwhile, the nanocellulose was isolated from oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFBs) by mechanical treatment using ultrafine grinder. The nanocomposite films were made by evaporation casting method. It was found that the difference of amylose content in the native starch affected the properties of nanocomposite films. Meanwhile, the nanocellulose added into matrix TPS–PVA could increase tensile strength of TPS–PVA nanocomposite films.