Ecofriendly behavior of host matrix in composites prepared from agro-waste and polypropylene

Abstract

Composites were prepared by two methods: (1) graft copolymerization (GFC) of isotactic polypropylene (PP) with coupling agent maleic anhydride (MAH), followed by esterification with coir fiber; (2) by direct reactive mixing (DFC) of PP, MAH, and peroxide with coir fiber in a minimax molder. These composites, after molding in films (5 × 5 cm, ∼100 μm thickness) were examined for susceptibility to biological attack by measuring the percentage weight loss in compost up to 6 months, periodically, and fungal colonization on surface of the samples, when kept as sole carbon source for the growth of Aspergillus niger in culture medium up to 40 days. Photodegradation was evaluated by monitoring the variations in a Fourier transform infrared spectrum and crack formation after successive treatment with ultraviolet (UV) light (≥290 nm) for 0, 20, 50, and 100 h at 60°C in the presence of air. Specimens of virgin PP were taken as a reference during all periods of photo- and biodegradations. Significant consequences of the manner of composite preparation on photo/biodegradation were observed during the whole study. DFC samples degraded faster than GFC during the composting whereas, in culture, GFC was covered by fungi in a highly well-uniform way. It is shown that photo-oxidative aging directly enhanced the biodegradability of composites, as an increase in fungal growth rate and decrease in weight during composting was found. It was concluded that extent of compatibilization has a profound effect on photo/biodegradation of composite material; consequently, ester bonds were the main units during fungal consumption. Surface erosion was maximum in the case of 100 h UV-treated GFC and minimum for unirradiated PP after culture exposure, as shown by scanning electron microscopy, which is due to the use of composite films as energy source by microbes. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1009–1017, 2003