Abstract
The suitability of watermelon (WM) and Albizia lebbeck benth (ALB) seed particles as reinforcement for polylactide (PLA) were investigated. The composites were produced using 150μm particle size reinforcement additions from 5 to 15wt.%. The microstructure, tensile properties and crystallinity were evaluated. The results showed 5wt.% filler gave a better tensile strength of 1.70 MPa and 1.86 MPa for watermelon, and ALB reinforced composites respectively, over unreinforced PLA (1.11MPa). This is attributed to strong interfacial bond between polymer and the bio-waste fillers, as observed from the SEM micrographs. The crystallite size of neat PLA, 5wt.%WM and 5wt.% ALB are 4.9, 0.2, and 1.9 A respectively. The sorption ability of polymer is inversely proportional to the degree of crystallinity. Thus, the smaller the crystal size, the better the crystalline index, with improved hydrophilicity and tensile strength properties. These bio-composites can be used in the abdominal part of human skin (1-24 MPa).
Highlights
To achieve sustainable development and green economy, a brand-new material devoid of environmental pollution and dependence on fossil fuel is highly essential (Li et al, 2017)
The results showed that micro fibrillated cellulose (MFC) blended with chitin nanofiber (ChNF) in the ratio of 1:1 at 50 wt.% reinforcement gave the best tensile strength over neat PLA and the individual reinforcement
Jia et al (2013) noticed that the tensile strength of both PLA and PLA-PBS composites increased by 10-40% while the initial modulus is 2-6 times higher than that measured for PLA and PBS films
Summary
To achieve sustainable development and green economy, a brand-new material devoid of environmental pollution and dependence on fossil fuel is highly essential (Li et al, 2017). In recent times a large number of materials used in every day applications are polymer, owing to lightness in weight, ease of manufacturing and low cost (Antonio et al, 2018). One of such versatile polymers is polylactide (PLA) - a biopolymer derived from renewable and degradable material such as sugar cane, corn and rice. The results showed that micro fibrillated cellulose (MFC) blended with chitin nanofiber (ChNF) in the ratio of 1:1 at 50 wt.% reinforcement gave the best tensile strength over neat PLA and the individual reinforcement. This was attributed to the presence of hydroxyl group in chitin and cellulose. Chen et al (2015) reinforce PLA with halloysite nanotube (HNT), and observed that there was an increase in stiffness and modulus with the highest tensile strength of 62.7MPa at 5wt% HNT. Jia et al (2013) noticed that the tensile strength of both PLA and PLA-PBS (polybutylene succinate) composites increased by 10-40% while the initial modulus is 2-6 times higher than that measured for PLA and PBS films
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