Abstract
Preparation of the novel biodegradable composites based on carboxymethylated starch and cellulose matrix containing plant fillers has been described. Adding the natural filler into polysaccharide derivatives allows remaining the biodegradable character of the final composite. As a filler milled cereal husks of various origins: rye, spelt, and rice were used. Rye and spelt fillers have not been used in biocomposite materials so far. Additionally, softwood flour was used for comparison. The grain husks are the waste products, and could be an alternative for popular wood fibers preserving wood resources. Introducing natural filler beneficially affected the mechanical parameters of the CMS/CMC system, as moisture absorption, as well as solubility in water decreased (e.g. by ca. 7% and 6%, respectively for CMS/CMC with rice husk filler when compared to the neat system). Moreover, the mechanical properties, i.e. Young’s modulus, and tensile strength increased. The chemical composition and size of natural fillers are essential factors determining the physicochemical properties of obtained composites, and cereal husks are promising raw materials for filling hydrophilic polysaccharide matrices. The obtained composites met the sustainability requirements as they were made from renewable resources, contributing to a lower environmental footprint.
Highlights
Preparation of the novel biodegradable composite based on carboxymethylated starch and cellulose matrix and plant fillers have been described
Introducing natural filler beneficially affected the mechanical parameters of the carboxymethyl starch (CMS)/carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) system, as moisture absorption as well as solubility in water decreased
The chemical composition and size of natural fillers are essential factors determining the physicochemical properties of obtained composites, and cereal husks are promising raw materials for filling hydrophilic polysaccharide matrix
Summary
In the 20th century many composite systems based on petroleum-origin components. In the 21st century, along with the public awareness, great emphasis was placed on the development of biodegradable composites that meet the „5E” principle conditions, i.e.: efficiency, energy saving, enabling, economy and environmental friendly. Polysaccharides (i.e. cellulose, starch, chitin, glycogen) differ in the chain structure (linear, branched), microstructure (fibrous, globular) and natural function (structural, storage material). They are widely used in food industry, and in medical and pharmaceutical, paper as well as in coating industries. Starch and cellulose are renewable, inexpensive and relatively easy to modify natural polymers, seem to be the promising raw materials for the biodegradable composite formulations [1-4]. The etherification of starch and cellulose allows to obtain carboxymethyl derivatives which - unlike native polymers - are soluble in cold water. Applying various polysaccharide derivatives composition and ratio allows to obtain films with different properties
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