Control of biodegradability in a natural fibre based nanocomposite as a function of impregnated copper nanoparticles

Abstract

The properties of biodegradability or non-biodegradability are highly important for the design and application of sustainable materials. The objective of this work is to introduce a novel type of nanocomposite comprising a natural fibre reinforcing agent impregnated with copper nanoparticles, and to control the biodegradability of this sustainable material using the function of the impregnated copper nanoparticles. At room temperature, copper nanoparticles were synthesized and impregnated into palm oil fibre to improve the strength and durability of the fibre and the material properties of the composite. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic techniques were used to characterize the prepared composites. The biodegradability (minimum to maximum boundary) of the composite was studied (using the soil burial test) as a function of the quantity of copper nanoparticles, where the tensile strength was fixed at the maximum. The property of biodegradability was also optimized with the help of response surface methodology.