Characterization and Properties of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Reinforced Polyvinyl Alcohol Thin Films

摘要

This paper focuses on the mechanical and morphological properties of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fibre reinforced in polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH). Samples were prepared via solution casting method with different loading of OPEFB fibre range from 5 wt% to 30 wt%. To improve the performance of thin films, tapioca starch (TS) was added into the formulation. From the result obtained, the tensile strength of PVOH/OPEFB thin films decreases as fibre loading increases. This might due to the weak interfacial adhesion between OPEFB fibre and PVOH matrix and also the tendency of fibres agglomeration to form the non-homogeneous compound. However, interestingly to observe that tapioca starch addition has increased the tensile strength and Young's modulus of the thin films. From scanning electron microscopy analysis, the presence of tapioca starch has enhanced the adhesion of PVOH matrix and OPEFB fibre.