Properties and Characterization of Nile Rose Nanocellulose for Biodegradable Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanocomposites

This study developed high-performance, biodegradable nanocomposites from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) reinforced with nanocellulose derived from the invasive Nile rose plant (NR). Cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) were successfully extracted using maleic anhydride treatment, yielding nanofibers with an average diameter of 20.81 nm and a high negative surface charge of −40.7 mV, indicating effective functionalization. The synergistic effect of incorporating 7.5% CNF and applying 50 kGy gamma irradiation dramatically enhanced the composite properties, resulting in a 64.01% improvement in tensile strength compared to neat PVA. The crosslinked network significantly increased hydrophobicity, with the water contact angle rising from 60.95° to 106.40°, and reduced moisture absorption. Optical characterization demonstrated excellent UV-shielding capabilities, maintaining a visible light transmittance of 66.6% at 800 nm, while thermal analysis confirmed enhanced stability against high-temperature degradation. These findings suggest that the developed nanocomposites are promising candidates for advanced protective packaging applications where UV shielding and moisture resistance are critical.