Abstract
Agroindustrial wastes are a cheap and abundant source of natural fibers and macromolecules that can be used in the manufacturing of biocomposites. This study presents the development and thermo-mechanical characterization of a bio-composite film (TPF/PF), made of thermoplastic banana flour (TPF) matrix and plantain fibers (PF). Fabricated materials were characterized by physical analysis, chemical composition, Fourier-transformed spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal analysis (TGA), mechanical analysis, and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The physical analysis showed that TPF and PF have a low density and high affinity to water resulting in a lightweight, renewable, and biodegradable TPF/PF composite. The chemical composition and spectra analysis of the fiber showed that PF is a potential candidate for reinforcing composites due to its high α-cellulose and low lignin content. The thermal analysis determined that TPF degrades at a lower temperature than PF, therefore the matrix sets the processing temperature for TPF/PF composite films. The mechanical test showed an improvement in the tensile properties of the composite in comparison to neat TPF. Tensile strength and Young’s modulus were improved by 345% and 1196%, respectively, when PF fibers was used. Good bonding and mechanical interlocking of PF to the TPF were identified by SEM. Therefore, potential biocomposites can be developed using natural fibers and thermoplastic starches obtained from plantain agroindustrial wastes.
Highlights
Plastics are an essential part of modern economies and have been extensively used in a variety of fields, such as food packaging, electronics, aerospace, and more
Fibers extracted from the Musa paradisiaca tree are highlighted as a viable composite reinforcement due to its favorable physical and mechanical characteristics [12]
In comparison to other natural fibers, plantain fibers (PF) shows a high cellulose content, making it a competitive reinforcement choice because it correlates to better mechanical performance [33,34]
Summary
Plastics are an essential part of modern economies and have been extensively used in a variety of fields, such as food packaging, electronics, aerospace, and more. Even though macromolecules are found abundantly in most organic solid wastes in landfills and other trash disposal facilities, they continue to be left to decompose or even incinerate instead of using these wastes’ high potential as a source of bio-based polymers for the manufacturing industry [14] Among these macromolecules, starch has been implemented in several studies [15–18] as the main component in the fabrication of biodegradable films and coating, indicating the high interest of researchers in implementing starch-based biopolymers, known as thermoplastic starch, for product manufacturing. The production of biocomposites combining plantain flour bio-based polymeric matrices and plantain natural fibers could combine both fields in the manufacturing of added-value products This new approach in the development of biocomposites would assess the possibility of implementing most of the wastes of a single crop’s production (plantain fibers) and consumption (plantain peels) stages. The chemical, thermal, mechanical, and morphological characterization of TPF, untreated PF, and the composite material (TPF/PF) are shown through chemical composition analysis, Fourier-transformed infrared analysis (FTIR), thermos-gravimetric analysis (TGA), tensile tests, and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM)
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