Bio-based Polymer Composites Research Articles

Development and properties of bio-based polymer composites using PLA and untreated agro-industrial residues

This research developed a bio-based polymer composite using polylactic acid (PLA) and agro-industrial residues from coffee by-products (without chemical modification and the use of coupling agents or stabilizers). Agro-industrial residues, such as spent coffee ground (SCG) and coffee silver skin (CSS) as filler, were added into the PLA matrix in different percentages by weight, from 0.5 to 10 wt%. The bio-composites were prepared using solvent-cast films and were characterized by various techniques, including FT-IR, TGA, DSC, XRD, SEM and mechanical tests. Bio-composites' formation was verified using FT-IR and SEM; the material showed good interfacial interaction, with percentages between 3 and 5 wt%. XRD and DSC determined the percentage crystallinity in the bio-composites. SEM found that the bio-composites form crystals, showing their limits after mechanical testing. The bio-composites exhibited enhanced thermal and mechanical properties compared to neat PLA.These bio-based composites show great potential for a wide range of applications in the food industry, including disposable and single-use materials, as well as food packaging. Moreover, their use can significantly contribute to the global demand for eco-friendly materials.

New click chemistry scheme towards improvement of filler/polymer crosslinking in bio-based polymer composites

ABSTRACT The current study aims to develop a cutting-edge methodology to enhance compatibility between natural fiber and polymeric matrix in bio-composites. To achieve this, an innovative approach for grafting an azide functional group (Az) onto the surface of polypropylene (PP) was successfully developed and confirmed. The Az group contributed to enhancing the interfacial interaction between the polymer matrix and the bio-filler through chemical crosslinking. Crosslinking is achieved through an innovative and efficient chemical process known as click chemistry. In particular, a click reaction is established between the functionalized PP with an azide group and functionalized natural filler with an alkyne group. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is verified using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The resulting bio-composite exhibits higher mechanical properties, better thermal stability, and improved biocompatibility compared to conventional materials. Specifically, the maximum tensile strength was achieved at 10% DPP loading, showing a 22% increase over the base material (DPP/PP) and a 7% increase over neat PP. A more significant enhancement was observed in Young’s modulus results across all samples. Therefore, the established method is beneficial for polymer modification, promoting the production of high-performance bio-composite materials.

Mechanical, Thermal and Performance Evaluation of Hybrid Basalt/Carbon Fibers Reinforced Bio-Based Polyethylene Terephthalate (BioPet) Composites

Looking at the dynamically developing market of engineering materials, there is a need to create newer functional composites. Today's economic situation related to high energy prices and environmental threats force industry to conduct sustainable production. Polymer composites based on plant raw materials are increasingly appearing on global markets, which are light, have good mechanical properties and are also pro-ecological. This work involved the production of hybrid composites based on bio-based poly (ethylene terephthalate) by means of injection molding. Two types of fibers were used simultaneously as the reinforcement phase: basalt fibers and carbon fibers in the amount of 5, 7.5, and 10 wt% of each. The produced materials were subjected to a wide range of mechanical, thermal, and functional characteristics. The experimental data were compared with the theoretical results which were calculated from different micromodels. The studies showed that with the addition of the filler, the mechanical properties of the produced composites increased, but the optimal content was found for composites with 7.5/7.5 wt% addition of fibers, where the improvement was – 81%, 337%, and 25%, for tensile strength, Young's modulus, and impact strength, respectively. In the produced materials, the thermal properties of composites were also improved, where the shrinkage decreased by min. half, and linear coefficient at least 3 times. Sufficient adhesion between the fibers and the matrix was confirmed by SEM images and mechanical micromodels, which confirmed the highest efficiency of reinforcement with a total content of 15 wt% of fibers. To assess the influence of extreme conditions on the behavior of composites, hydrolytic degradation was carried out, which showed that the addition of fibers will not increase water absorption. The mechanical tests of the incubated materials lead to the conclusion that the produced materials could be successfully used in long-term applications because the properties obtained during the tensile test have deteriorated by only max. 5%. The work showed for the first time the modification of bioPET using two types of fibers introduced simultaneously. Hybridization of bioPET with basalt and carbon fibers has shown that it is possible to create very durable composites with a high Young's modulus. The work showed that different fibers are responsible for increasing other parameters – basalt fibers increase strength, while carbon fibers increase Young's modulus. The research may contribute to the popularization of bio-based polymer composites that have high strength for low weight and are a cheaper equivalent than polyamide-based composites.

Fully Bio-Based Polymer Composites: Preparation, Characterization, and LCD 3D Printing.

The present work aimed to prepare novel bio-based composites by adding fillers coming from agro-wastes to an acrylate epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) resin, using liquid crystal display (LCD) 3D printing. Different photocurable formulations were prepared by varying the reactive diluents, iso-bornyl methacrylate (IBOMA) and tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate (THFA). Then, two fillers derived from different industrial wastes, corn (GTF) and wine (WPL-CF) by-products, were added to the AESO-based formulations to develop polymer composites with improved properties. The printability by LCD of the photocurable formulations was widely studied. Bio-based objects with different geometries were realized, showing printing accuracy, layer adhesion, and accurate details. The thermo-mechanical and mechanical properties of the 3D-printed composites were tested by TGA, DMA, and tensile tests. The results revealed that the agro-wastes' addition led to a remarkable increase in the elastic modulus, tensile strength, and glass transition temperature in the glassy state for the systems containing IBOMA and for flexible structures in the rubbery region for systems containing THFA. AESO-based polymers demonstrated tunable properties, varying from rigid to flexible, in the presence of different diluents and biofillers. This finding paves the way for the use of this kind of composite in applications, such as biomedical for the realization of prostheses.

A strong hydrogen bond bridging interface based on tannic acid for improving the performance of high-filled bamboo fibers/poly (butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) (PBSA)biocomposites

Natural plant fiber-reinforced bio-based polymer composites are widely attracting attention because of their economical, readily available, low carbon, and biodegradable, and showing promise in gradually replacing petroleum-based composites. Nevertheless, the fragile interfacial bonding between fiber and substrate hinders the progression of low-cost and abundant sustainable high-performance biocomposites. In this paper, a novel high-performance sustainable biocomposite was built by introducing a high density strong hydrogen-bonded bridging interface based on tannic acid (TA) between bamboo fibers (BFs) and PBSA. Through comprehensive analysis, this strategy endowed the biocomposites with better mechanical properties, thermal stability, dynamic thermo-mechanical properties and water resistance. The optimum performance of the composites was achieved when the TA concentration was 2 g/L. Tensile strength as well as modulus, flexural strength as well as modulus, and impact strength improved by 22 %, 10 %, 15 %, 35 %, and 25 % respectively. Additionally, the initial degradation temperature(Tonset) and maximum degradation temperature(Tmax) increased by 12.07 °C and 14.8 °C respectively. The maximum storage modulus(E'), room temperature E', and loss modulus(E")elevated by 199 %, 75 %, and 181 % respectively. Moreover, the water absorption rate decreased by 59 %. The strong hydrogen-bonded bridging interface serves as a novel model and theory for biocomposite interface engineering. At the same time, it offers a promising future for the development of high performance sustainable biocomposites with low cost and abundant biomass resources and contributes to their wide application in aerospace, automotive, biomedical and other field.

Influence of bio-based kenaf polymer composites on mechanical and acoustic properties for futuristic applications: An initiative towards net-zero carbon emissions

In the pursuit of net-zero carbon emissions, the development of sustainable materials like kenaf fiber composites is pivotal. This innovative approach, which harnesses eco-friendly properties and enhances material performance, holds promise in reducing carbon footprints across diverse industries. As ecological sustainability awareness continues to rise, there is a growing imperative to embrace biodegradable, lightweight, and recyclable materials to address existing limitations in conventional materials. Kenaf fiber, with its unique electromagnetic, acoustic, mechanical, and physical properties, presents a compelling solution. The production process involves impregnating kenaf fiber with bio-based materials, utilizing nanofillers of nickel (Ni), bamboo charcoal (BC), and carbon black (CB), which are blended with epoxy resin through magnetic agitation to ensure homogeneous dispersion. This resulting composite is fortified between two layers of kenaf fiber mats, creating a robust sandwich structure. Employing response surface methodology (RSM) and the central composite design (CCD), the study calculates the optimal weight percentages of nanofillers in various test specimens. Mechanical and acoustic property testing, conducted using appropriate equipment, reveals that a combination of 15 wt% BC, 9 wt% Ni, and 6 wt% CB exhibits the highest tensile strength at 42 MPa, while the blend of 10 wt% BC, 6 wt% Ni, and 4 wt% CB achieves a maximum noise reduction coefficient (NRC) of 0.524. These impressive findings underscore the potential of this suggested material as a superior substitute for conventional materials, further aligning it with the imperative for eco-conscious and sustainable solutions.

Environmental Durability of Bio-Based and Synthetic Thermoplastic Composites in Large-Format Additive Manufacturing.

This research investigates the durability of large-format 3D-printed thermoplastic composite material systems under environmental exposure conditions of moisture and freeze-thaw. Durability was evaluated for two bio-based composite material systems, namely wood-fiber-reinforced semi-crystalline polylactic acid (WF/PLA) and wood-fiber-reinforced amorphous polylactic acid (WF/aPLA), and one conventionally used synthetic material system, namely short-carbon-fiber-reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (CF/ABS). The moisture absorption, coefficient of moisture expansion, and reduction of relevant mechanical properties-flexural strength and flexural modulus-after accelerated exposure were experimentally characterized. The results showed that the large-format 3D-printed parts made from bio-based thermoplastic polymer composites, compared to conventional polymer composites, were more susceptible to moisture and freeze-thaw exposure, with higher moisture absorption and greater reductions in mechanical properties.

Bio-polymer based thermally stable composites as catalytic support materials for energy harvesting process

In the present work, bio-based conductive polymer composites were developed to utilize as supporting material for anode catalysts for oxidation of fuels to generate electrical energy. An in-situ method was adopted to synthesize the conducting polymer carbon composites through combined condensation process by reacting terephthalaldehyde and benzidine, and reinforced with almond shell carbon (BT-ASC). Using formaldehyde reduction method platinum-tin nanoparticles were deposited on BT-ASC composites and were characterized using modern analytical instruments., viz., X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Thermal stability of the conducting polymer composites was analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The electrochemical properties of the prepared catalysts were studied by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometric analyses. Data obtained from different studies inferred that the Pt–Sn/BT-ASC catalyst possesses the maximum current density (88.6 mA/mg) with minimum oxidation potential than those of Pt–Sn/ASC, Pt/BT-ASC and Pt/ASC catalysts. The present work ascertains the importance of conducting polymer composites developed using reinforced with bio-carbon towards electro-oxidation of methanol and these supporting materials possess an enhanced catalytic activity than that of reported catalysts.

Glass and Aramid Fibre-reinforced Bio-based Polymer Composites Manufactured By Vacuum Infusion: A Statistical Approach to Their Physical and Mechanical Properties

Glass and Aramid Fibre-reinforced Bio-based Polymer Composites Manufactured By Vacuum Infusion: A Statistical Approach to Their Physical and Mechanical Properties

Sub-micro Organosolv lignin as bio-based epoxy polymer component: A sustainable curing agent and additive.

Sub-micro organosolv lignin (OBs) isolated from beechwood biomass, comprising of sub-micro sized particles (570 nm), with low molecular weight (Mw) and dispersity (Ð), and relatively high total phenolic -OH content, was successfully utilized for the production of bio-based epoxy polymer composites. OBs lignin was incorporated in the glassy epoxy system based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and aliphatic polyoxypropylene α,ω-diamine (Jeffamine D-230), being utilized both as curing agent replacing partially D-230 as well as an additive, substituting part of both petroleum derived components. Up to 12 wt.% replacement of D-230 by OBs lignin was achieved, while a total of ~17 wt.% of OBs effectively replaced the conventional epoxy polymer. The incorporation of OBs lignin in the polymeric matrix was achieved without the use of any solvent or previous functionalization. Enhanced properties were obtained, with substantial increase of tensile strength, strain, and stiffness, Tg, antioxidant activity and resistance to solvents.

Bioresource Polymer Composite for Energy Generation and Storage: Developments and Trends.

The ever-growing demand of human society for clean and reliable energy sources spurred a substantial academic interest in exploring the potential of biological resources for developing energy generation and storage systems. As a result, alternative energy sources are needed in populous developing countries to compensate for energy deficits in an environmentally sustainable manner. This review aims to evaluate and summarize the recent progress in bio-based polymer composites (PCs) for energy generation and storage. The articulated review provides an overview of energy storage systems, e. g., supercapacitors and batteries, and discusses the future possibilities of various solar cells (SCs), using both past research progress and possible future developments as a basis for discussion. These studies examine systematic and sequential advances in different generations of SCs. Developing novel PCs that are efficient, stable, and cost-effective is of utmost importance. In addition, the current state of high-performance equipment for each of the technologies is evaluated in detail. We also discuss the prospects, future trends, and opportunities regarding using bioresources for energy generation and storage, as well as the development of low-cost and efficient PCs for SCs.

Fabrication of PLA/CB composites with excellent electrical conductivity and stiffness-ductility balance based on coupling extensional stress with thermal field

A newfound scalable strategy of “annealing stretching-thermal treatment” is proposed to tune electrical conductivity and stiffness-ductility balance of polylactide/carbon black (PLA/CB) conductive composites. The extensional stress-induced orientation and crystallization lead to a significant increase in tensile strength (from 69.3 MPa to 102.0 MPa) and elongation at break (from 9.8 % to 48.7 %). Further thermal treatment effectively reconstructs the conductive network destroyed by the strong extensional stress, causing a sharp increase in electrical conductivity to 5.75 S/m, which is surprisingly ∼ 109 higher than that of neat PLA (5.61 × 10-9 S/m). Besides, the ductility (44.3 %) and strength (97.8 MPa) are well preserved after thermal treatment, attributed to the preservation of oriented amorphous phase and the perfection of oriented crystals, respectively. Moreover, the heat resistance is also improved after thermal treatment. This work could provide significant guidance for facile and efficient fabrication of high-performance bio-based conductive polymer composites.

Preparation and Characterization of Microalgae Styrene-Butadiene Composites Using Chlorella vulgaris and Arthrospira platensis Biomass.

The food industry is a high consumer of polymer packing materials, sealing materials, and engineering components used in production equipment. Biobased polymer composites used in the food industry are obtained by incorporating different biogenic materials into the structure of a base polymer matrix. Renewable resources such as microalgae, bacteria, and plants may be used as biogenic materials for this purpose. Photoautotrophic microalgae are valuable microorganisms that are able to harvest sunlight energy and capture CO2 into biomass. They are characterized by their metabolic adaptability to environmental conditions, higher photosynthetic efficiency than terrestrial plants, and natural macromolecules and pigments. The flexibility of microalgae to grow in either low-nutrient or nutrient-rich environments (including wastewater) has led to the attention for their use in various biotechnological applications. Carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids are the main three classes of macromolecular compounds contained in microalgal biomass. The content in each of these components depends on their growth conditions. In general, proteins represent 40-70% of microalgae dry biomass, followed by carbohydrates (10-30%) and lipids (5-20%). A distinctive feature of microalgae cells is the presence of light-harvesting compounds such as photosynthetic pigments carotenoids, chlorophylls, and phycobilins, which are also receiving growing interest for applications in various industrial fields. The study comparatively reports on polymer composites obtained with biomass made of two species of green microalgae: Chlorella vulgaris and filamentous, gram-negative cyanobacterium Arthrospira. Experiments were conducted to reach an incorporation ratio of the biogenic material into the matrix in the 5-30% range, and the resulting materials were characterized by their mechanical and physicochemical properties.

Castor oil-based, robust, non-leaching and durable antibacterial waterborne polyurethane/polyhexamethylene guanidine composites prepared via an electrostatic self-assembly strategy

Antibacterial materials with durable antibacterial properties and high mechanical strength from renewable resources recently have attracted extensive attention. In this study, a facile and environmentally friendly electrostatic self-assembly strategy was adopted to prepare a series of castor oil-based waterborne polyurethane/polyhexamethylene guanidine (WPU/PHMG) composites. The relationship between performance (antibacterial properties, mechanical properties, etc.) and the chemical structures of these resulting composite films has been systematically investigated. The results showed that the antibacterial rate of these antibacterial composite films against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) was more than 99.9%. Interestingly, the obtained composite films still demonstrated long-lasting antibacterial properties after 42 days of immersion in water and six cycles of antibacterial testing due to the synergistic effect of electrostatic interaction and intermolecular hydrogen bonds. In addition, the tensile strength of the obtained composite films was significantly improved up to 30 MPa, 2 times higher than the original polyurethane films, and the toughness was high up to 70 MJ/m3, which could easily pull up to 19,000 times their own weight. Furthermore, the water absorption of the obtained composite films was greatly reduced from 56.4% to 6.6% due to their high crosslinking densities and intermolecular interaction. The technique reported in this study provides a facile and simple strategy for development of high mechanical properties and durable antibacterial properties of bio-based polymer composites, which would find promising applications in medical devices, product packaging, and so on.

Epoxy-poly lactic acid blended composites reinforced with carbon fibres for engineering applications

When it comes to sustainability, bio-derived materials are one of the most promising sources of polymers. They are easily accessible, affordable, and may result in a decrease in carbon emissions. The use of bio-based polymer composites lowers the dependence on petroleum-based polymers, leading to environmental degradation issues. Because of this epoxy-based composites are synthesized by combining the same with a biopolymer of Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) in varied proportions from 20 to 50 wt.% of the holding matrix. Exhaustive tests are conducted to optimize PLA percentage in the epoxy matrix. Accordingly, composites are prepared with 80% epoxy resin and 20% PLA in terms of enhanced mechanical properties. Further, these composites are strengthened by reinforcing them with CFs in varied proportions. This research emphasizes the synthesis of composite with a matrix of 80% epoxy resin and 20% PLA reinforced with CFs at 0.2 and 0.3 wt.% of the holding matrix to test their potential as a feasible composite material for engineering applications. To understand the bonding nature, thermal, and microstructural behavior of the composite material, characteristic studies such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), and Scanning Electron microscope (SEM) images are used. Experimental results on the mechanical properties of the composites showed an increase in flexural strength by 7.62% and 3.56% for 0.2 and 0.3 wt.% of CFs reinforcements in the polymer matrix compared to pristine coupons. Simulation studies are done with ANSYS Workbench to validate the same with experimental readings and are found to be in close agreement with an error of 10–15%.

Cellulose Nanofibers/Pectin/Pomegranate Extract Nanocomposite as Antibacterial and Antioxidant Films and Coating for Paper.

Bio-based polymer composites find increasing research and industrial interest in different areas of our life. In this study, cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) isolated from sugar beet pulp and nanoemulsion prepared from sugar beet pectin and pomegranate extract (PGE) were used for making films and used as coating with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities for paper. For Pectin/PGE nanoemulsion preparation, different ratios of PGE were mixed with pectin using ultrasonic treatment; the antibacterial properties were evaluated to choose the formula with the adequate antibacterial activity. The antioxidant activity of the nanoemulsion with the highest antimicrobial activity was also evaluated. The nanoemulsion with the optimum antibacterial activity was mixed with different ratios of CNFs. Mechanical, greaseproof, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial properties of the CNFs/Pectin/PGE films were evaluated. Finally, the CNFs/Pectin/PGE formulation with the highest antibacterial activity was tested as a coating material for paper. Mechanical, greaseproof, and air porosity properties, as well as water vapor permeability and migration of the coated layer from paper sheets in different media were evaluated. The results showed promising applicability of the CNFs/Pectin/PGE as films and coating material with antibacterial and antioxidant activities, as well as good stability for packaging aqueous, fatty, and acidic food products.

Biobased Polymer Composites: A Review

Global environmental concerns, as well as the rapid depletion of non-renewable fossil fuel-based resources, have prompted research into the development of sustainable, environmentally friendly, and biodegradable materials for use in a variety of high-end applications. To mitigate the environmental setbacks caused by nonbiodegradable materials, the development of biocomposites with improved mechanical performance is gradually gaining momentum. Natural fibers such as hemp, flax, and sisal have been well incorporated into biocomposite development. Nonetheless, the impact of functional moieties in their life cycle cannot be underestimated. In this review paper, a detailed discussion of the characteristics and components of biocomposites is presented. The treatment of composite materials (alkali and acetylation), as well as several manufacturing processes (hand layup, 3D printing, extrusion, etc.) and the applications of biocomposites, which are not limited to the aerospace industry, packaging, biomedicine, etc., are presented. Biocomposites with excellent durability, performance, serviceability, and reliability must be produced to expand their applications.

A bio-based intumescent flame retardant with biomolecules functionalized ammonium polyphosphate enables polylactic acid with excellent flame retardancy

A bio-based intumescent flame retardant (IFR) was designed and synthesized by employing a simple and environment-friendly strategy. Via electrostatic interaction, chitosan (CS) and amino trimethylphosphonic acid (ATMP) as organic shells are deposited on the inorganic core of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) to form the core–shell flame retardant (APP@CS@ATMP). Then, agar (AG) is used as a charring agent candidate that combines with APP@CS@ATMP to fabricate a bio-based IFR. The application of APP@CS@ATMP and AG in polylactic acid (PLA) is effective in improving its flame retardancy and anti-dripping properties. The PLA composite including 20 wt% APP@CS@ATMP/AG (APP@CS@ATMP:AG = 3:1) can achieve the optimal flame-retardant effect and a UL-94 V-0 rating with a slight melt-dripping phenomenon. Furthermore, the peak heat release rate and total heat release significantly decrease in the cone calorimetric tests contrasted with those of pure PLA. The flame-retardant mechanism of APP@CS@ATMP/AG is revealed by analyzing the pyrolysis gaseous products during the thermal decomposition and the morphology and structure of char residues. This work provides a facile and sustainable route to construct bio-based polymer composites with excellent fire-safety properties.

Test Methods for Characterizing the Properties of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites at Elevated Temperatures.

Recent research trends focus on developing bio-based (derived from agricultural byproducts) fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites for structural applications. Fire resistance is one of the key issues that need to be addressed for the use of these FRP materials in buildings. The thermal and mechanical properties of the constituent materials essentially determine the fire performance (and the fire resistance rating) of a structural member, and these properties vary with temperature. Further, the properties of composite materials such as the FRP are highly influenced by the composition and type of fibers and matrix, and these thermo-mechanical properties also vary significantly with temperature. Due to this variation, the fire resistance of FRP materials (both conventional and bio-based) poses a major concern for use in buildings. Currently, very few standardized test procedures are available for evaluating the high-temperature material properties of FRP composites. In this paper, a review of testing protocols and procedures for undertaking tests on FRP materials at various elevated temperatures for evaluating their properties is carried out. Recommendations are provided on the most suitable test methods, specimen conditions, testing regime, and other issues associated with testing at elevated temperatures. In addition, the applicability of the proposed test methods is illustrated through a case study on conventional FRP specimens. Further, the applicability of the recommended test procedures for measuring high-temperature properties of bio-based FRP composites is highlighted.

A Review on Natural Fibre-Reinforced Biopolymer Composites: Properties and Applications

In ongoing decades, material researchers and scientists are giving more consideration towards the improvement of biobased polymer composites as various employments of items arranged by natural fibres and petrochemical polymers prompt natural awkwardness. The goal of this review paper is to provide an intensive review and applications of the foremost appropriate commonly used biodegradable polymer composites. It is imperative to build up the completely/incompletely biodegradable polymer composites without bargaining the mechanical, physical, and thermal properties which are required for the end-use applications. This reality roused to create biocomposite with better execution alongside the least natural effect. The utilization of natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites is concerned with the mechanical properties that are highly dependent on the morphology, hydrophilic tendency, aspect ratio, and dimensional stability of the natural fibre. With this in-depth consideration of eco-friendly biocomposites, structural application materials in the infrastructure, automotive industry, and consumer applications of the following decade are attainable within the near future.