Abstract
Green composites of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) were manufactured with almond shell flour (ASF) by reactive compatibilization with maleinized linseed oil *MLO) by extrusion and subsequent injection molding. ASF was kept constant at 30 wt %, while the effect of different MLO loading on mechanical, thermal, thermomechanical, and morphology properties was studied. Uncompatibilized PBS/ASF composites show a remarkable decrease in mechanical properties due to the nonexistent polymer‒filler interaction, as evidenced by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). MLO provides a plasticization effect on PBS/ASF composites but, in addition, acts as a compatibilizer agent since the maleic anhydride groups contained in MLO are likely to react with hydroxyl groups in both PBS end chains and ASF particles. This compatibilizing effect is observed by FESEM with a reduction of the gap between the filler particles and the surrounding PBS matrix. In addition, the Tg of PBS increases from −28 °C to −12 °C with an MLO content of 10 wt %, thus indicating compatibilization. MLO has been validated as an environmentally friendly additive to PBS/ASF composites to give materials with high environmental efficiency.
Highlights
Nowadays, there is growing interest in the development of biopolymers that could substitute for, or at least compete with, conventional petroleum-based polymers
Fractured samples from impact tests were observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) in a ZEISS ULTRA 55 microscope from Oxford Instruments (Abingdon, UK)
Thermal stability of the developed composite materials was studied by thermomechanical analysis (TMA) in a Q400 TMA analyzer from TA Instruments (New Castle, DE, USA)
Summary
There is growing interest in the development of biopolymers that could substitute for, or at least compete with, conventional petroleum-based polymers This need is much more pronounced in the packaging industry due to the high volume of waste it generates. Among different alternatives such as proteins, polysaccharides, bacterial polymers, and so on, biopolyesters (either from petroleum origin or bio-derived) are gaining relevance as they are biodegradable (disintegrable in controlled compost soil conditions). One of these polyesters is poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), which presents interesting possibilities for manufacturing wood plastic composites (WPCs) or natural fiber-reinforced plastics (NFRPs) [1]. This work is focused on the study of the effect of MLO loading on the final properties of PBS-ASF composites with the aim of improving interface phenomena between the PBS matrix and the embedded ASF particles
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
