Properties of Polyvinyl Alcohol Films Composited With Hemicellulose and Nanocellulose Extracted From Artemisia selengensis Straw

Abstract

Artemisia selengensis straw is an agricultural residue with great potential as a resource because it is rich in lignocellulose. In this study, A. selengensis straw has been used as a source of hemicelluloses (ASH) and cellulose nanocrystals (ASCNC) for the elaboration of biodegradable films. The different contents of ASCNC were used as an additive to improve composite films with ASH and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Various mechanical and hydrophobic properties of the films were analyzed. The composite films enhanced by ASCNC exhibited greater strength and were more effective as a barrier to water vapor when compared to that of the control ASH/PVA film. The tensile strength of the composite film was increased 80.1% to 36.21 MPa with the ASCNC loading exceeds 9%, and the water vapor transmission rate decreased 15.45% by added 12% ASCNC. Furthermore, the ASCNC-enhanced composite film reduced a greater amount of light transmission than the control film.