10 - Nanofillers to enhance biodegradable composites and their niche applications

Abstract

Synthetic plastics have become synonymous with our modern lifestyle, offering strong, lightweight, and long-lasting materials. The last of those characteristics is a double-edged sword, and few biodegradable alternatives compare well in terms of tensile strength and light weight. Because plastics persist in the environment, marine debris comprising mainly mismanaged plastics has formed the Great Pacific Garbage Patch just north of Hawaii. East Asia and Southeast Asia account for 60% of the world's mismanaged plastics, according to an article in Science, and biodegradable bioplastics are considered a viable alternative. Proponents of synthetic plastics argue that bioplastics are nonrecyclable and that recycling is a much better option than disposal. This argument, however, hinges on a well-established infrastructure for separation at the source. Bioplastics have seen limited use mainly because of their higher cost and weaker mechanical and thermal properties. Nanofillers could potentially improve the performance of bioplastics, allowing them to function with less material and opening up a range of niche applications. Nanofillers may serve to strengthen bioplastics, improve their thermal properties, and serve as carriers in smart materials. Niche applications include utensils, biodegradable implants, and smart food packaging materials. Such applications often use plastic composites that are difficult to recycle. This chapter broadly reviews and compares bioplastics and synthetic plastics performance, how nanofillers can improve bioplastics performance, and various niche applications for biodegradable composites.