Abstract
The present study explores solid-state cryomilling for the compounding of green composites. Herein, wood plastic composites (WPCs) composed of sawdust (SD) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) with various compositions were prepared. Two compounding techniques, namely, extrusion and cryomilling, were utilized to prepare WPC raw material pellets and powders, respectively, for comparison purposes. Flat pressing was further utilized to prepare WPC films for testing. Morphological, structural, thermal, mechanical, and surface wettability properties were investigated. Results indicate the advantages of cryomilling in producing WPCs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) along with optical micrographs revealed well ground SD particles and uniform distribution in the PCL matrix. Tensile strength and elongation at break of the composites declined with increasing SD content, however, the modulus of elasticity significantly increased. Water contact angles averaged less than 90°, implying partial wetting. Visual observations and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated thermal stability of composites during processing. In conclusion, PCL/SD WPC is a potential candidate to replace conventional plastics for packaging applications. This would also provide a much better utilization of the currently undervalued wood waste resources.
Highlights
During the past couple of decades, substantial concerns regarding the environmental impacts, public health, and the declining availability of oil resources have directed attention towards developing more eco-friendly, green, and sustainable materials, as well as reducing and recycling wastes.Considerable research efforts have aimed to develop biodegradable and recyclable polymers and composites, from renewable resources [1,2]
PCL has been blended with PLA and chitosan to enhance the latter’s flexibility and barrier properties for food packaging applications [22,23]
García et al [18] investigated the effect of almond skin filler (10, 20, 30 wt.%) on the properties of compression molded PCL composite films compounded via melt blending
Summary
During the past couple of decades, substantial concerns regarding the environmental impacts, public health, and the declining availability of oil resources have directed attention towards developing more eco-friendly, green, and sustainable materials, as well as reducing and recycling wastes. PCL has been blended with PLA and chitosan to enhance the latter’s flexibility and barrier properties for food packaging applications [22,23]. Films were prepared by melt blending, followed by compression molding Both filler type and content influenced the crystallization, mechanical, barrier, as well as the biodegradation in soil properties of the matrix. García et al [18] investigated the effect of almond skin filler (10, 20, 30 wt.%) on the properties of compression molded PCL composite films compounded via melt blending. Results showed enhanced mechanical and barrier properties, lower melting and crystallization enthalpies, higher crystallinity, some decrease in thermal stability, as well as higher biodegradability in composting environments compared to pure PCL.
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