Preparation and Properties of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Banana Frond Flour Biodegradable Film.

A series of biodegradable films, based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and banana frond flour (BFF) was prepared using a solution-casting method. BFF was added to PVA in order to improve biodegradability and reduce cost. The blended films were evaluated for their tensile properties, water absorption, water vapour transmissibility (WVT) and degradation under natural weathering. Tensile strength and elongation at the break of PVA/BFF films were lower than unfilled PVA film, but the tensile modulus was higher. Water absorption and WVT of the blended films increased upon increasing the BFF content. The presence of BFF influences degradation and causes a reduction of the tensile properties of the PVA/BFF blended films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]