Poly lactic acid (PLA)/Banana fiber (BF) biocomposites were fabricated employing melt blending technique followed by compression molding. BF were surface‐treated by NaOH and various silanes viz. 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) and bis‐(3‐triethoxy silyl propyl) tetrasulfane (Si69) to improve the compatibility of the fibers within the matrix polymer. Mechanical tests revealed an increase of tensile strength to the tune 136% and impact strength to 49% as compared with the untreated biocomposite. Thermal properties of the composites have been evaluated using DSC and TGA. DSC thermograms revealed an increase in the melting transitions thus revealing effective fiber/matrix interface. The thermal stability in the biocomposites also increased in case of banana fiber treated with Si69. Viscoelastic measurements using DMA confirmed an increase of storage modulus and low damping values in the silane treated biocomposites. Biodegradation studies in the biocomposites have been investigated in B. cepacia medium through morphological and weight loss studies. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers

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Partially miscible blends of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) have been prepared by the melt mixing method. An interpenetrating network structure created by a maleic anhydride (MA) compatibilizer imparted additional interactions between the two matrices, which has resulted in increased miscibility within the blends. A modified interface has been characterized using morphological analysis through FT-IR and SEM analysis. Because MA compatibilization distributed flexible intermolecular hydrogen bonding within the blend matrix, elongation at break and Izod impact strength has been reported at a maximum of 540.17% and 99%, respectively, compared to those of the PLA matrix. Further, incorporation of layered silicates within the optimized composition of the PLA/PHB/MA blend modified the tensile strength by 49%, without compromising its superior flexible characteristics. Simultaneously, the renowned thermal insulating property of exfoliated/intercalated layered silicate works well to promote the thermal stability of the blend as well. Because two different nanoclays have been utilized in the present investigation, a comparative account of the extent of the intercalation/exfoliation has been reported through morphological analysis.

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Eco-friendly completely biodegradable biocomposites have been fabricated using polylactic acid (PLA) and banana fiber (BF) employing melt blending technique followed by compression moulding. BF's were surface treated by NaOH and various silanes viz. 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and bis-(3-triethoxy silyl propyl) tetrasulfane (Si69) to improve the compatibility of the fibers within the matrix polymer. Characterization studies have been suggested that a better fiber matrix interaction because of the newly added functionalities on the BF surface as a result of chemical treatments. In comparison with the untreated BF biocomposite, an increase of 136% in tensile strength and 57% in impact strength has been observed for Si69 treated BF biocomposite. DSC thermograms of surface treated BF biocomposites revealed an increase in glass transition and melting transition due to the more restricted macromolecular movement as a result of better matrix fiber interaction. The thermal stability in the biocomposites also increased in case of biocomposite made up of BF treated with Si69. Viscoelastic measurements using DMA confirmed an increase of storage modulus and low damping values for the same biocomposite. Biodegradation studies of the biocomposites have been investigated in Burkholderia cepacia medium through morphological and weight loss studies.