To be added

Add this Carboxy Methyl Cellulose (CMC) and Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) were used as
matrices. Glycerol also was applied as plasticizer

Nowadays, the agricultural wastes are attractive for being the source of nanocellulose
production. Not only it is high available in nature, but also the using of agricultural residues can
improve the value from non-valuable wastes to high profits of nanocellulose.(PHanthong et al.,
2018).

The rising concern towards environmental issues and, on the other hand, the need for more
versatile polymer-based materials has led to increasing interest about polymer composites filled
with natural-organic fillers, i.e. fillers coming from renewable sources and biodegradable. The
extraction of nanocellulose from cellulosic fibers and the development of nanocellulose-based
composites and materials have revolutionized the field of renewable and sustainable materials.

Nowadays, production of bio-composite from a renewable source is attracting the attention of

industrialists and researchers instead of using petrochemical resources. Nano-Biocomposites are
promising option to further improve material properties while maintaining their biodegradability.
They are materials composed of two or more different materials with the properties of the
resultant material being superior to the properties of individual material that make up the
composites [CITATION Jea \l 1033 ].

Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) also used to determine the changes in polymer
decomposition temperatures of CNC reinforced PVA. It continuously measures the weight of a
sample as a function of temperature by considered an important method for studying the thermal
stability of polymer nanocomposite. The composite films were cut into small pieces and the
sample was tested with a microbalance and TGA unit. Temperature analysis was determined
using thermo gravimetric analysis (TA instrument, SDT Q600 at LIDI Addis Ababa, Ethiopia).
A portion of a small sample (approximately 15grams) was used for the sample.
The morphology of CNCs/PVA composites for reinforcing application were characterized by
Scanning electron microscopy.
The analysis was performed in the absorption mode, and the Chemical structure of CNC/PVA
blend composite was determined by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy.
3.1. Experimental frame work

Using the above chemicals, materials and procedures to extract cellulose and preparation of
cellulose nanocrystals the overall structure of the experimental works was shown in Figure ….

Biocomposites
Polymer nanocomposites are a radical alternate to conventional polymer composites, where large
amount of fillers are added to improve the properties. For polymer
composite applications, the use of natural fibers are preferred to efficiently reduce
the dependence on petrochemical-based plastics
Natural
fibers obtained from various plant sources as such or in the form of extracted
cellulose have been frequently used for this application

Cellulose in nanodimensions generated from cellulose fibers has much higher

mechanical properties than those of natural fibers. Hence CNs have attracted a great
deal of interest in the polymer nanocomposite field. Due to their nanodimensions

high surface area, low density, ability to functionalize, and sufficient strength, they
proved to be a better reinforcing material than conventional fibers. Like any other
multiphase material, the properties of nanocomposite depend on the morphological
aspects and their interfacial interactions. There are four different factors that can
affect the performance of CNs-based water soluble polymer nanocomposites

The first, and most critical, is the compatibility of CNs with polymer
matrix. This is essential to allow uniform dispersion of reinforcing element into the
matrix. The main challenge in attaining excellent performance lies in attaining
homogenous dispersion of nanocrystals within the polymer matrix by avoiding the
aggregation of nanocrystals. In the case of water soluble polymers, it is comparatively easy as both the phases are
hydrophilic in nature. Also in some cases the
formation of a percolated network of nanocrystals within the polymer matrix
enhances the rigidity of polymers. The second factor is the molecular structure of
the matrix, which influences the interaction between matrix and CN and their
interfacial properties. This is also important in obtaining a good matrix-filler
interaction. Here also since both the polymer matrix and reinforcing components
are hydrophilic in nature, their interactions can be reasonably good. The third is the
aspect ratio of CN particles, which is determined by the origin of the cellulose
source and the manufacturing conditions. Since the reinforcing filler used is possessing nanodimensions, the
reinforcing effect is better. This is the reason why CNreinforced nanocomposites exhibit better properties than
cellulose fibril/microfibrilreinforced counter parts. Typically, a higher aspect ratio gives more reinforcement
potential, assuming aggregation does not occur. Fourth factor is the method of
polymer nanocomposite fabrication. Solvent intercalation is the most widely used
preparation method for these types of polymers. It is having both advantages and
disadvantages. Ease of preparation, control over the nanocrystal aggregation, better
dispersion, and less damage to the nanocrystals, cost effectiveness, etc., are the
advantages while their inefficiency for large-scale production is a limitation. Several
water soluble polymers-based nanocomposites have been prepared by solvent
intercalation method and their details are briefly highlighted below.

Poly (vinyl alcohol) is the most widely studied synthetic water soluble polymer
because of its application as controlled drug release materials, chemical separators,
barrier membranes for food packaging applications, pharmaceutical components,
manufacturing material for artificial human organs and as biomaterials

PVA is also widely preferred for the fabrication of nanocomposites

due to its high efficiency to form strong hydrogen bonds and its superior capability
to transfer load between the polymer and the reinforcing agents

The addition of 10 wt% of these fibrils resulted in a 2.5-fold

increase in modulus and fivefold increase in tensile strength. In another study,
nanocomposites were prepared from copolymers of PVA and polyvinyl acetate by
using a colloidal aqueous suspension of cellulose whiskers prepared from cotton
linter

The degree of hydrolysis of the matrix was varied in

order to vary the hydrophilic character of the polymer matrix and then the degree of
interaction between the filler and the matrix. Results showed that stronger filler–
matrix interactions occur in fully hydrolyzed PVA compared to partially hydrolyzed
samples and the reinforcing effect was higher as the degree of hydrolysis of the
matrix was high

Using these nanocrystals,

PVA nanocomposite films were prepared and characterized. The use of nanocrystals has significantly improved the
mechanical properties and thermal stability of
PVA nanocomposites. Results of this study demonstrated that CNs-reinforced PVA
films can be used in the fabrication of high-performance polymer nanocomposite
films for food packaging applications.

Cellulosic nanomaterials have several advantages compared to other nanomaterials

as they are biodegradable, abundant, cheap, easy to synthesize, and also they
possess high specific strength and modulus. CNs were used as the load-bearing
constituent in developing new and inexpensive biomaterials due to their high aspect
ratio, good mechanical properties, and renewable nature. Compared to other inorganic reinforcing fillers, CNs have
some additional advantages like their wide
availability, nontoxic, low-energy consumption, ease of recycling including combustion, high sound attenuation,
easy processability due to their nonabrasive nature,
allowing high filling levels, and significant cost savings. In the area of polymer
nanocomposites, cellulose nanocystals were used as model fillers with a defined
morphology to impart sufficient strength and modulus. These types of nanocomposites can be used for making
biomimetic foams of high mechanical performance,
paper with high toughness, flexible panels for flat panel displays, water repellent
papers, etc. High security paper containing CN can also be made by incorporating
solidified liquid crystals of cellulose. These nanocomposite materials are also
suitable for drug delivery systems, such as liposomes, micelles, microgels, etc.
Considering the safety and efficacy of CNs, they can be used in various biomedical
fields like fluorescence bioassay and bioimaging applications. These nanocrystals
are also capable of making highly functional nanocomposites for applications such
as smart coatings, pharmaceuticals, electronic materials, etc. CNs can also be used
for stabilizing the nanoparticles of specific functionality which can be used for
filtration and catalytic conversion applications. Potential applications of CN containing polymer nanocomposites
also include biomedical implants, fibers and textiles, separation membranes, and electroactive polymers.
One potential area of application where CNs can be used extensively is in the
field of high-performance nanocomposite packaging materials. The rod-shaped
nanocrystals are known for reinforcing polymeric materials; however, not much
information is available about their efficacy as barrier materials. Research in this
area is evolving rapidly to enhance both mechanical and barrier properties of existing packaging materials and to
overcome certain limitations like brittleness,
lack of flexibility, durability, etc. Superior barrier membranes made up of bio-based
nanocomposites can also find their applications in food and biomedical packaging
areas, where lower permeability to oxygen, carbon dioxide, flavor, oil, and water
vapor are very much needed. However, there are lot of scientific and technical
challenges ahead before realizing truly eco-friendly packaging materials made up of
water soluble polymers reinforced with CNs that satisfy all industry and consumer
requirements.