Abstract
This work deals with the design, preparation and characterization of composites based on Poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-(R)-3-hydroxyvalerate] and lignocellulosic filler suitable for the production of compostable and biodegradable biocomposites that mimic the thermo-mechanical and processing characteristics commonly found in those polymeric materials specially designed for injection molding and blow extrusion. The best formulation in terms of processability, thermo-mechanical properties and biodegradation behavior under mature compost conditions was the biocomposite that contained 42.8 % by wt. of Poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-(R)-3-hydroxyvalerate] as the major component, 5 % by wt. of lignocellulosic filler, 10 % by wt. of tributyl citrate plasticizer, 30 % by wt. of Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate), 10 % by wt. of Poly(vinyl acetate), 0.2 % by wt. of Joncryl ADR-4368C a chain extender, 1 % by wt. of a primary antioxidant mix, and 1 % by wt. of nucleating agents.
Highlights
Nowadays, there is an increasing interest toward the substitution of oil-based polymers with biobased polymers
The results reported in this paper were articulated in two lines of intervention that allowed to design the biocomposite compositions and establish the strategies aimed at improving the thermo-mechanical and processing characteristics of the pristine biopolyesters, as well as to tune the final composition of the high performance biocomposite
The additives under analysis were: the chain extender Joncryl, the lignocellulosic filler obtained from hazelnut shells powder (LN), and the plasticizer Tributyl Citrate (TBC)
Summary
There is an increasing interest toward the substitution of oil-based polymers with biobased polymers. Poly(hydroxyalkanoates) (PHAs) emerge as a new class of biopolymers, that have gained more and more attention due to their thermoplastic behaviour, acceptable mechanical properties and biodegradability in compost conditions[1]. Applications based on PHAs, as a matrix, are generally found in the biomedical area due to their biocompatibility characteristic[2], but is extended into short-term areas such as the production of compostable films for the collection of organic wastes, food contact applications, and injected parts. Poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate] (PHB) and Po ly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-(R)-3-hydroxyvalerate] (PHBV) are aliphatic and biodegradable polyesters that belong to the PHAs family. PHB, as well as PHBV, are thermoplastic polymers characterized by a high crystallinity content, hydrophobic behaviour, and are completely biodegradable in soil and compost conditions[1,3,4]
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