Poly(ethylene succinate)/hemp fiber composites: Fully biobased materials with improved thermal and biodegradation properties

Abstract

Fully biobased composite materials were prepared from poly(ethylene succinate) (PESu) and hemp fibers isolated from hemp agricultural wastes. Different amounts of hemp fibers were incorporated in PESu from 10% to 75%. Additionally, the effect of Joncryl ADR® 4400 (JC) as a compatibilizer was investigated. The chemical structure, thermal behavior, crystallization, mechanical properties, antioxidant activity, hydrophilicity and soil degradation of the materials were studied. Mechanical properties are initially increased up to 20–50% HF but decrease with further addition of hemp fibers. On the other hand, antioxidant activity and soil degradation increase proportionally with the HF content. Quite unexpectedly, hydrophobicity increases with the incorporation of HF probably due to the incorporation of non-cellulosic hydrophobic compounds in the polymeric matrix. Last but not least, JC effectively contributes to a higher fiber/polymeric matrix adhesion, resulting in improved properties.