Comprehensive characterization of novel Borassus flabellifer flower biomass based microcrystalline cellulose reinforced with polylactic acid (PLA) biofilm for futuristic applications

Biodegradable films with better attributes are gaining popularity nowadays. They could replace petroleum-based polymers. This work choose microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) from the Borassus flabellifer flower as the filler. Polylactic acid (PLA) was used as the matrix to create biocomposite films via a solution-casting technique. The filler percentages may range from 1% by weight to 5% by weight. Physical properties (density, thickness, and moisture content), chemical structure, FTIR, XRD, TGA, UV, water absorption, biodegradability test, scanning electron microscopy, particle size analysis, surface roughness, tensile testing, and antimicrobial tests were all conducted on the films. FTIR and XRD were utilized to characterize the structural makeup and crystallinity index of the manufactured PLA/MCC biofilms. As evident by FTIR, hydrogen bonding is quite robust because of the PLA/MCC interfacial exchanges. A thermogravimetric study determined that the thermal breakdown temperature of biofilms ranged from 259.79 to 350 degrees C. Incorporating MCC at a concentration of 1% by weight raised the tensile strength by 11.36% and the elastic modulus by 13.86%. It is fascinating to see the elongation percentage drop linearly with added filler. In conclusion, the SEM analysis shows that PLA and MCC may work well together. With a higher MCC concentration, PLA/MCC biofilms can take in more water. Biofilms buried for 75 days saw a weight loss of 8.5% (5 wt% of MCC) due to the MCC loading in the PLA matrix. These results demonstrate that PLA/MCC biofilms can be used in packaging applications, which was hypothesized before this study.