PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CELLULOSE FILMS FROM FICUS NATALENSIS BARK CLOTH FIBERS

In this study, cellulose films were prepared from Ficus natalensis bark cloth fibers via phase inversion technique using NaOH/urea/water as the solvent. Films were formed at a concentration of 7 wt. % and 8 wt. % of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) as isolated from Ficus natalensis  bark cloth fibers. Their morphology, physiochemical, and mechanical properties were examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform IR spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and microcontrolled electronic universal testing machine. The resultant regenerated cellulose (RC) films exhibited rough surfaces morphologically, good tensile strength (19.85 ± 0.13 MPa), exhibited a plastic behavior with considerable strains. However, they are thermally stable at higher temperatures up to 280 °C. Cellulose films from this study could potentially act as biodegradable packaging materials to upgrade the scope of application of Ficus natalensis bark