High-Performance Biodegradable Films from Bamboo Derived Cellulose Nanofibers and Silk Fibroin: Engineering Sustainable Polymer Composites

Year : 2025 | Volume : 13 | Issue : 04 | Page : 256 265
    By

    J.Lurdhumary,

  • K. Alagarraja,

  • S.karthikeyan,

  • Sathyaseelan. P,

  • P. Sobhanachalam,

  • P. Nantha kumar,

  • Kirubakaran D,

  • Nellore Manoj Kumar,

  • Sudhakar M,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Electronics and Commuication Engineering, Sri Sairam Institute of Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, New Prince Shri Bhavani College of Engineering and Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  3. Professor, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Sathyabama institute of science and technology,Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  4. Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical, Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr.Sagunthala R&D Institute of science and Technology, Chenn, Tamil Nadu, India
  5. Associate Professor, Department of Physics (FED), Lakireddy Bali Reddy College of Engineering, Mylavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India
  6. Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Sairam Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  7. Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, St. Joseph’s Institute of Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  8. Adjunct Faculty, Department of Mathematics, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Thandalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  9. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Sairam Engineering College, Sai Leo Nagar, West Tambaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

This research presents the advancement of biodegradable composite films from cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) extracted from bamboo and silk fibroin (SF) derived from Bombyx mori cocoons. CNF/SF composites were fabricated in three different compositions—CS10, CS30, and CS50—via aqueous blending and solution casting, followed by ethanol-induced β-sheet stabilization. Mechanical testing confirmed a considerable enhancement in tensile strength from 72 MPa (CS10) to 112 MPa (CS50), while Young’s modulus improved from 2.4 GPa to 4.8 GPa, and elongation at break improved from 3.1% to 6.8%, demonstrating a synergistic balance between stiffness and ductility. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated a rise in onset degradation temperature from 262 °C (CS10) to 298 °C (CS50), confirming improved thermal resilience due to β-sheet crystallization and hydrogen bonding. Surface wettability analysis showed an increase in water contact angle from 64° to 74° with increasing SF content, implying enhanced hydrophobicity. Water absorption decreased from 45% to 28%, correlating with reduced hydroxyl accessibility. FTIR analysis confirmed molecular interactions through intensified Amide I (~1650 cm⁻¹) and Amide II (~1515 cm⁻¹) peaks and diminished O–H stretching (~3300 cm⁻¹), supporting hydrogen bonding between CNFs and SF. The CS50 composite displayed optimal performance, suggesting its suitability for flexible, moisture-resistant biodegradable applications in biomedical and packaging sectors, providing a green alternative to petroleum-derived plastics.

Keywords: Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), silk fibroin (SF), biodegradable composites, hydrogen bonding, thermal and mechanical properties.

[This article belongs to Journal of Polymer and Composites ]

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How to cite this article:
J.Lurdhumary, K. Alagarraja, S.karthikeyan, Sathyaseelan. P, P. Sobhanachalam, P. Nantha kumar, Kirubakaran D, Nellore Manoj Kumar, Sudhakar M. High-Performance Biodegradable Films from Bamboo Derived Cellulose Nanofibers and Silk Fibroin: Engineering Sustainable Polymer Composites. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(04):256-265.
How to cite this URL:
J.Lurdhumary, K. Alagarraja, S.karthikeyan, Sathyaseelan. P, P. Sobhanachalam, P. Nantha kumar, Kirubakaran D, Nellore Manoj Kumar, Sudhakar M. High-Performance Biodegradable Films from Bamboo Derived Cellulose Nanofibers and Silk Fibroin: Engineering Sustainable Polymer Composites. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(04):256-265. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2025/view=218008


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Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 13
Issue 04
Received 06/06/2025
Accepted 23/06/2025
Published 17/07/2025
Publication Time 41 Days
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