Carboxymethyl cellulose film from durian rind

Cellulose from durian rind was converted to carboxymethyl cellulose (CMCd) by carboxymethylation using sodium monochloroacetate (SMCA) and various sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentrations (20-60 g/100 mL). The chemical structure of the cellulose and resulting polymers was then characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Then, the properties of the CMCd materials were investigated. The optimum condition for carboxymethylation was found to be 30 g/100 mL NaOH, which provided the highest viscosity and degree of substitution (DS = 0.87). Crystallinity of CMCd was found to decline after synthesis. The L* value of the CMCd decreased with increasing NaOH concentrations (20-40 g/100 mL). The trend of the a* and b* values varied inverses to the L* values. The CMCd films were prepared and tested, and the highest tensile strength (140.77 MPa) and WVTR (220.85 g/day·m2) were found using the 30 g/100 mL NaOH-synthesized CMCd film. The percent elongation at break of the different CMCd films was not to significantly differ.

► Durian rinds were processed to make a material with improved mechanical properties. ► The DS was directly related to the NaOH concentrations with a maximum at 30%. ► All properties varied directly with the DS except for color which varied inversely.