Preparation of Biodegradable Film from Esterified Corn Husk Cellulose

Abstract

Cellulose-enrich residue from corn husk was transformed into biodegradable plastic films. After chemical removal of lignin and bleaching the corn husk pulp with hydrogen peroxide, corn husk cellulose powder was received by acid hydrolysis. The esterification of corn husk cellulose was performed using lauroyl chloride as an esterifying agent, toluene and pyridine as solvent and catalyst, respectively. The optimum conditions for esterification were investigated in terms of reaction time and temperature. Chemical structure and solubility of modified cellulose were examined. Cellulose laurate film was obtained by casting method in chloroform solvent. The tensile strength and elongation at break of cellulose laurate film were 5.15 MPa and 6.55%, respectively. The biodegradable of cellulose laurate films in different disposal environments including landfill and wastewater treatment plant for 2 months were investigated. The biodegradation process was followed by measuring the changes in the physical appearance and tensile properties of the films.