Effect of okra bast fillers on biodegradation properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) composites

Gazi Md Arifuzzaman Khan; Nazire Deniz Yilmaz

doi:10.55730/1300-0527.3512

Effect of okra bast fillers on biodegradation properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) composites

Turk J Chem. 2022 Sep 7;47(1):24-32. doi: 10.55730/1300-0527.3512. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Gazi Md Arifuzzaman Khan¹, Nazire Deniz Yilmaz²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Islamic University, Kushtia, Bangladesh.
² Department of Textile Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Uşak University, Uşak, Turkey.

Abstract

This paper focuses on the effect of okra bast fillers on biodegradation of poly(vinyl alcohol) composites. Fibers were obtained from okra plant stems via biological degumming and subjected to different chemical treatments such as scouring, alkalizing, maleic anhydride treatment, and vinyl acetate grafting. The fibers were ground and PVA-okra bast filler composites were produced at 20 wt% fiber load via the solution casting method. The obtained composites were tested in terms of mechanical properties and exposed to biodegradation in soil. Effects of okra bast filler addition and chemical treatments on changes in mass, breaking strength, elasticity modulus, and breaking elongation of composites upon soil biodegradation were determined. The composites can be considered for utilization in packaging and agricultural applications.

Keywords: Agroresidue; biocomposite; biodegradation; mechanical properties; okra bast fiber; poly(vinyl alcohol).