Poly (vinyl alcohol) green composites reinforced with microcrystalline cellulose through sonication

Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) from sago seed shell in different weight % (1, 2, and 3 relative to PVA) were added, sonicated followed by solution casting into glass plate to prepare green composites. Composite films were characterized using UV-VIS, FTIR, ATR-FTIR, TGA, DSC, and mechanical testing. UV-Visible spectra show good transparency of prepared films. FTIR and ATR-FTIR reveal the presence of hydrogen bond between polymer matrix and MCC. DSC analysis gives a slight increase in glass transition temperature, in addition lowering in melting temperature. TGA results show slight increase in onset decomposition temperature for lower MCC concentration compared to the neat PVA film. Tensile strength measurement established that the incorporation of 1 weight% of MCC increased the tensile strength compared to the neat PVA film. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.