Effect of montmorillonite nanofiller loading on the properties of the hemicellulose blend carboxymethyl cellulose nanocomposite films

A nanocomposite film was successfully prepared by the combination of hemicellulose (H) derived from the oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) with montmorillonite (MMT) at different loadings (1, 3, and 5 wt%) through solution casting. The composites were characterized by using scanning electron microscope (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), contact angle, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. The results showed that the tensile properties of the H-CMC-MMT nanocomposite films were enhanced at 3 wt% MMT loading. Scanning electron microscopy displayed a smooth surface of the nanocomposite film at a lower filler loading and a rough surface when the MMT loading increased. Meanwhile, the film with 3 wt% MMT exhibited the highest contact angle value, representing the lowest wettability characteristic. Thermal analysis through their thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), derivative thermogravimetry (DTG), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed that good thermal properties were achieved as the MMT loading percentage increased. Overall, the 3% MMT in the nanocomposite formulation had optimum properties related to enhanced surface functionality and tensile properties of the hemicellulose-based nanocomposite films. The results showed that the hemicellulose films have the potential to be used for green coating and packaging applications.