Poly Vinyl Alcohol/Kaolinite Clay/Grafted Cellulosic Fibre Based Hybrid Composite Films: Physical, Mechanical, Optical and Biodegdrability Studies

Abstract

In this study, physical, mechanical, optical, morphological and biodegdrability properties of poly vinyl alcohol (PVA)/kaolinite clay (KC)/grafted barley husk (GBH) based hybrid composite films were prepared by solution casting method. Barley husk was grafted with oleic acid using graft copolymerization method. The hybrid composite films were characterized by FTIR and SEM. Based on the findings from this work, water uptake of the composite films increased with increase in the amount of GBH. While with the increase in KC content, the water resistance of the composite film improved. The optical transmittance changed little with the addition of GBH; however, the composite films remain transparent with the addition of KC. Tensile strength and elongation (%) of the composite films were significantly enhanced with the addition of KC and GBH. SEM micrographs showed cracks and hollows on the surface of films after biodegdradtion. Soil burial test revealed that the PVA/GBH composite films exhibited high biodegdrability in terms of weight loss (%) in comparison with PVA/KC and PVA/KC/GBH composite films.

Cite this Article

Deepak Kohli, Sangeeta Garg, Jana AK. Poly Vinyl Alcohol/Kaolinite Clay/Grafted Cellulosic Fibre Based Hybrid Composite Films: Physical, Mechanical, Optical and Biodegdrability Studies. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2017; 5(3):          41–52p.