Dr. Anju S. VijayanARATHI CHANDRAN2024-11-142024-11-142024https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810216343The present investigation entitled “Studies on formulation and characterization of nanocomposite film based on gum ghatti and nanocellulose of Lantana camara L.” was carried out in the Department of Forest Products and Utilization, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Jhalawar, Rajasthan during July 2023 to December 2023. The study focused on developing a bio nanocomposite film using tree gum extracted from Anogeissus latifolia (gum ghatti), reinforced with cellulose nanofiber derived from Lantana camara L. using chemical method. The film was subsequently characterized using SEM, TGA, DSC, UTM, FTIR, XRD to assess different morphological, physical, thermal and mechanical properties, determining its applicability in various fields. Nanocellulose with an average diameter of 57.58 nm was isolated through the acid hydrolysis process and was reinforced in the gum matrix at different concentrations (1%, 3%, 6%, 9%, 12%, 15%). By standardizing the amount of gum and sorbitol (plasticizer), it was found that 10% gum and 20% sorbitol (wt.% of gum) produced films that were flexible, non-sticky, and readily peelable. SEM analysis of the developed films revealed the dispersion of nanocellulose particles within the gum, which transformed the smooth surface of the gum film into a rough one. The findings demonstrated that incorporation of nanocellulose significantly reduced the thickness of films from 0.327 mm to 0.183 mm. Physical attributes such as moisture content and water solubility greatly diminished from 7.50% and 98.7 % to 2.71 % and 93.23 % respectively. The contact angle enhanced from 44.18o to 64.29o, thereby rendering the composite film less hydrophilic. Thermal gravimetric analysis showed that the thermal degradation temperature and glass transition temperature significantly increased with 15% NC, reaching 231.37°C and 134.06°C, respectively. The thermal investigation through Differential Scanning Calorimetry revealed a higher melting temperature of 220oC for nanocomposite with 15% NC. The optimal addition of NC improved the mechanical properties by augmenting Young’s modulus, elastic limit, and tensile strength, while reducing tensile strain and elongation at break. The chemical interactions between gum and nanocellulose in the bio nanocomposite were validated by the FTIR analysis. The XRD analysis revealed the amorphous nature of natural gum and the semi-crystalline nature of nanocomposite as the degree of crystallinity increased from 16.05% to 34.09% after reinforcing plain gum with nanocellulose. Thus, the fabricated gum-nanocellulose composite film with improved water resistance, high mechanical strength, and thermal stability can potentially be used for various applications such as packaging, biomedical, and environmentally friendly coatings. Additionally, the study highlighted the economic potential of Lantana camara L., a plant typically considered an obnoxious weed.EnglishThesis