Extraction of oxidized nanocellulose from date palm (Phoenix Dactylifera L.) sheath fibers: Influence of CI and CII polymorphs on the properties of chitosan/bionanocomposite films

Packaging has increasingly become a dominant factor in the global market competitiveness. This implies we should obtain new raw materials with improved packaging properties. In particular, oxidized nanocelluloses, obtained from locally cultivated date palm sheath fibers, were extracted by ammonium persulfate treatment of unbleached pulp and mercerized date palm sheath fibers. The influence of reaction parameters (e.g. ammonium persulfate concentration 0.5-1.5 M, duration 8-20 h and temperature 50-80 °C) were studied. A significant particle size reduction, surface charge density diminishing and thermal stability enhancement resulted as a consequence of the ammonium persulfate hydrolysis. The extracted oxidized nanocelluloses, at the optimum conditions, were used as a packaging additive in chitosan films. The physicochemical and mechanical analyses of the resulting bionanocomposite films show potential improvements in water vapor barrier and strength properties.