Coconut husk (Cocos nucifera) cellulose reinforced poly vinyl alcohol-based hydrogel composite with control-release behavior of methylene blue

Abstract

Coconut husk was considered as an effective source of cellulose. It was successfully prepared and purified from coconut husk by alkali treatment and delignification process. 10, 20 and 30 wt% of purified cellulose was incorporated into poly vinyl alcohol-based hydrogel composite. Sodium tetraborate was employed as a crosslinking agent. X-ray diffraction reported that the existence of purified cellulose did not provide the effect on crystal phase of poly vinyl alcohol. Thermal decomposition behavior of composite was slightly enhanced when the cellulose was integrated. Hydrogel composite was thermally stable up to 300 °C. The glass transition temperature was slightly shifted to lower, while the melting temperature was slightly shifted to be higher. The morphological properties of purified cellulose were presented in the porous network of hydrogel. The porous structure of composite was presented due to freeze–dry technique. The composite swelling behavior was tested for 180 min in deionized water, phosphate buffer saline and 0.1 M of sodium chloride solution. The degree of swelling behavior in phosphate buffer saline and 0.1 M of sodium chloride was superiority. With the existence of 20 wt% of cellulose in poly vinyl alcohol provided the highest degree of swelling. The cumulative release of methylene blue was rapid at the initial stage (within 10 min) and it was stable up to 180 min. The degradation test was completely degraded within a day. The remaining weight was constant within 12 h and it was rapidly reduced from 13 to 24 h. It was remarkable to note that the purified cellulose and poly vinyl alcohol-based hydrogel exhibited the attractive potential in various applications such as drug delivery system, artificial cartilage, wound dressing as well as facial mask and cosmetic.

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