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Abstract
Polypropylene–cellulose composites have great potential in many important commercial applications, and it is important to understand and properly evaluate their biodegradative behavior to achieve improved composite formulations in accordance with their future applications. In the present study, an outdoor soil burial test was performed in order to evaluate the susceptibility to degradation of polyolefins–cellulose composites. The structural and morphological changes were analyzed by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The weight loss of composite samples after burying in soil was recorded. The presence of new bands, as an indicator of degradation, was confirmed by FTIR-ATR spectra. The thermal stability of the composites after soil burial analyzed by TGA was slightly improved, with relatively higher temperatures being required to decompose the samples after exposure to environmental factors. SEM micrographs presented some modifications of the polymer surface, such as holes, cracks, exfoliations, and fractures. Increasing the cellulose percentage of the composite samples led to increased weight loss. From the obtained results, it can be concluded that composites based on polyolefins and renewable resources undergo a slow process of biodegradation after contact with environmental microorganisms and, with appropriate composition, could be applied to various environmental fields.
Highlights
Polypropylene (PP) is the most widely used thermoplastic polymer, presenting mechanical properties desirable for various applications
The thermal stability of the composites after soil burial analyzed by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) was slightly improved, with relatively higher temperatures being required to decompose the samples after exposure to environmental factors
It can be said that higher temperatures are required to decompose the samples after exposure to environmental factors during the 24 months period
Summary
Polypropylene (PP) is the most widely used thermoplastic polymer, presenting mechanical properties desirable for various applications. PP is a suitable polymer matrix for obtaining composites with great potential in many important commercial applications. The most abundant natural polymer, is considered a good filler with which to produce composite materials. Cellulose–plastic composites are based on two polymers: a natural polymer hydrophilic cellulose and a hydrophobic synthetic polymer matrix of polypropylene. Since the polymers have different properties, it is necessary to improve the adhesion degree between both components by adding a compatibilizer, usually based on maleic anhydride. These materials combine the advantages of cellulose and polyolefin polymers. Plastic waste management includes prevention, reuse, and recycling, and disposal is the last resort [13,14,15]
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