Bio-composite film from corn starch based vetiver cellulose

Bio-composites have lately established wide applicability in various industrial sectors such as automobile, construction, packaging, and coatings. Due to their global abundance, natural fibers and starch have been one of the most tested raw materials to be utilized as bio-composite reinforcements. This investigation aims to fabricate corn starch (CS) reinforced vetiver cellulose fibers (VCF) composites using the solution casting method. For the VCF reinforcement, alpha (α)-cellulose was synthesized from the vetiver roots and post-converted into nano-cellulose using the ball milling technique. Various compositions comprising 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% (by weight) of this α-cellulose were inserted as reinforcement to commercially available CS matrix. The fabricated composite specimens were put to tensile, water absorption capacity, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and contact angle determination tests to evaluate the film properties. Crystallinity and failure morphology analysis of the composites was captured using the X-Ray Diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques, respectively. Results reveal that the incorporation of VCF in the CS matrix domain enhances the mechanical properties of bio-composites. Furthermore, the water absorption capacity decreased, and the contact angle increased; thereby predicting the composite’s potential application as a lightweight food packaging material.