Corncob arabinoxylan for new materials

Artikel i vetenskaplig tidskrift, 2014

Corncob agricultural waste was used as a source of arabinoxylan for preparation of films. Three arabinoxylan samples were prepared: crude extract (CCAX), purified by a washing step, and purified by bleaching CCAX. Films prepared with untreated CCAX were water soluble, yellowish in color and had poor mechanical properties. After the purification processes the Young's modulus increased from similar to 293 MPa to similar to 1400-1600 MPa, and strength was improved from similar to 9 MPa to around 53 MPa, while the strain at break was kept at similar to 8% both in untreated and purified CCAX. The contact angle was increased from similar to 21.3 degrees to 67-74 degrees after washing or bleaching CCAX. Acetylation of bleached CCAX showed the highest thermal resistance (325 degrees C), had low T-g (125 degrees C) and a high contact angle (80 degrees), and its films were stronger (strength similar to 67 MPa; Young's modulus similar to 2241 MPa) and more flexible (similar to 13%). These characteristics make purified CCAX a suitable material to be used as a matrix for film applications.