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Ngiwngam K, Chinvorarat S, Rachtanapun P, Auras R, Wittaya T, Tongdeesoontorn W. Effect of Chemical and Steam Explosion Pulping on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Sugarcane Straw Pulp Trays. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:3132. [PMID: 37514521 PMCID: PMC10383716 DOI: 10.3390/polym15143132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Sugarcane straw fiber (SSF) samples were prepared by chemical pulping (CP) and steam explosion (STE). CP (5, 10, 15% NaOH + 0.2% w/w anthraquinone at 121 °C for 1 h) and STE pressure (1.77, 1.96, and 2.16 MPa at 220 °C for 4 min) SSF trays were molded with a hydraulic hot-press machine at 120 °C, 7 min, and 1.72 MPa. The yield (%) of SSF from STE (54-60% dry basis (db.)) was higher than CP (32-48% db.). STE trays had greater tensile strength than CP. However, STE's elongation and compression strength was lower than CP tray samples. The trays made from SSF using STE had less swelling in thickness, longer water wetting time, and a higher water contact angle than those made from CP. The micrographs displayed a smaller size of SSF obtained in STE than the CP. The appearance and area of peaks in ATR-FTIR spectra and XRD diffractograms, respectively, revealed that the STE trays had a larger residual lignin content from the lignin study and a lower crystallinity index than the CP trays. Moreover, the lightness values of the STE trays were lower than those of the CP trays due to lignin retention. The study results indicate that CP is the preferred method for producing SSF packaging material with high flexibility and fiber purity. However, when considering the specific SF of 4.28, the STE treatment showed superior physical and mechanical properties compared to CP. This suggests that STE could be an excellent alternative green pulping technique for producing durable biobased trays. Overall, the findings highlight the potential of STE as a viable option for obtaining trays with desirable characteristics, providing a sustainable and efficient approach to tray production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kittaporn Ngiwngam
- School of Agro-Industry, Mae Fah Luang University, 333 Moo 1 Tasud, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
- Research Group of Innovative Food Packaging and Biomaterials Unit, Mae Fah Luang University, 333 Moo 1 Tasud, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
| | - Sinchai Chinvorarat
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangkok 10800, Thailand
| | - Pornchai Rachtanapun
- Division of Packaging Technology, School of Agro-Industry, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Agro Bio-Circular-Green Industry (Agro BCG), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Materials Science and Technology, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Rafael Auras
- School of Packaging, Michigan State University, 448 Wilson Rd, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Thawien Wittaya
- Faculty of Agro-Industry, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
| | - Wirongrong Tongdeesoontorn
- School of Agro-Industry, Mae Fah Luang University, 333 Moo 1 Tasud, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
- Research Group of Innovative Food Packaging and Biomaterials Unit, Mae Fah Luang University, 333 Moo 1 Tasud, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
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