Preparation of starch-based biocomposites reinforced with mercerized lignocellulosic fibers: Evaluation of their thermal,morphological, mechanical,and biodegradable properties

In the present paper, starch-based biocomposites have been prepared by reinforcing corn starch matrix with mercerized Abelmoschus esculentus lignocellulosic fibers. The effect of fiber content on mechanical properties of composite was investigated and found that tensile strength, compressive strength, and flexural strength at optimum fiber content were 69.1%, 93.7% and 105.1% increased to that of cross-linked corn starch matrix, respectively. The corn starch matrix and its composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis. The fiber reinforced composites were found to be highly thermal stable as compared to natural corn starch and cross-linked corn starch matrix. Further, water uptake and biodegradation studies of matrix and composites have also been studied.