Effect of Butyl Methacrylate on Properties of Regenerated Cellulose Coconut Shell Biocomposite Films

AbstractIn this study, butyl methacrylate acid (BMA) is used as chemical modifier of regenerated cellulose (RC) coconut shell (CS) biocomposite films. The effect of CS content and BMA on tensile properties and crystallinity index (CrI) of RCCSbiocomposite films were investigated. It is found that the increasing of CS content up to 3 wt% increased the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity but decreased at higher content of CS. Elongation at break decreased with increasing of CS content and increased at 4 wt% of CS. Cystallinity index (CrI) of biocomposite films also increased with increasing CS up to 3 wt% content. At similar CS content, treated RC CS biocomposite films with BMA were found to have higher tensile properties and crystallinity index (CrI) than the untreated biocomposite films. The modification by BMA improved interfacial interaction and dispersion of CS in RC biocomposite films