Fabrication and experimental study of corn starch based vetiver cellulose reinforced bio-composite film for food packaging application

Abstract Established applicability of biocomposites in the field of automotive, construction and structural industries has led to a hope to utilize them in the near future for further applications such as food packaging and lightweight coatings. Due to their global abundance, natural fibers and starch have been the most widely tested and used raw materials for use as the bio-composite reinforcements. Here in this work, composites based on corn starch (CS) and vetiver cellulose fibers (VCF) are fabricated using the solution casting method. Alpha-cellulose was synthesized from the vetiver roots post converted into nano-cellulose using the ball milling. Various compositions of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% (by weight) of this α-cellulose were introduced as the reinforcement to commercially available corn starch matrix. Tensile tests for the fabricated composites were done in accordance with the American Standard for Testing and Materials standard procedure. Crystallinity and failure morphology of the composites was studied using the X-Ray Diffraction techniques and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Water absorption capacity test, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, and determination of contact angle of the films were also done to evaluate the film properties. Results reveal that the incorporation of vetiver cellulose fiber in the starch enhances the mechanical properties of bio-composites. Also, the water absorption capacity and the contact angle decreased and increased, respectively; thereby predicting the composites application as a lightweight food packaging material.