High‐value use of lignocellulosic‐rich eucommia residue for promoting mechanical properties and flame retardancy of poly(butylene succinate)

Abstract

ABSTRACTCellulose‐ and lignin‐based fillers can significantly enhance the mechanical properties and flame retardancy of biomass polyesters, whereas complicated and high‐cost processes may be necessary for the extraction. Thus, we explored the direct use of eucommia residues (ERs), a plantation waste containing rich lignocellulosic substances (ca. 18% cellulose, 13% hemicellulose, and 35% lignin), to reinforce polyesters and improve their flame retardancy. With poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) as the polyester matrix, the ER could enhance the tensile and flexural modulus of polyester‐based composite by 87 and 72%, respectively, via a facile melt‐mixing method with 30 wt % ER. Such enhancements, accompanying cost reduction, came from the cellulose crystallinity and rigid chemical structure of lignin, along with the strong interaction between ER and PBS. Besides, the carbon residue of PBS/ER composites in the flame‐retardant study could maximally increase by 508%, benefited from the immense hex‐carbon rings of cellulose and lignin in ERs. The ER also reduced the peak heat release rate and total heat release of PBS by 43 and 20%, respectively. This work reduces the pressure from waste treatment, promotes the high‐value application of plantation lignocellulosic‐rich wastes in package plastics and membranes, and supports sustainable material development based on biomass multicomponents resources. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48543.