Biocomposites Films Based on Polylactic Acid and Olive Wood-Flour: Investigation on Physical, Thermal and Mechanical Properties

Abstract

Considerable interest has been shown in the development of biocomposite films for food packaging in recent years. In this study, biocomposite films based on polylactic acid (PLA) were prepared with varying levels of olive wood flour (OWF) (0, 1, 3, 5, and 10 wt%) using the solvent casting method. To achieve better dispersion, 2% ethanol was added during the casting of the biocomposite films. The effect of OWF content on the physicochemical and mechanical properties of the PLA films was investigated. Interaction between the OWF cellulose and the PLA matrix was revealed by FTIR spectroscopy analysis, and the addition of ethanol was found to be suitable for better dispersion of OWF, which resulted in decreased agglomeration rate in the biocomposites. The biocomposite films with the addition of 1% of OWF (OW1) exhibited the best dispersion, thermal stability, and tensile strength, with a gain of 31.07% (29.65 ± 6.6 MPa) and an increase in Young’s modulus of 15% (1199.18 ± 98 MPa). It was demonstrated that the properties of the PLA/OWF biocomposites make them suitable for green applications, including as film packaging for food products.

PP/MACAIBA almond composites: Effect of SEBS-MA and EPDMA-MA compatibilizers on the mechanical properties and biodegradation

“…Polypropylene (PP) H503 with a density of 0.905 g/cm 3 , melt flow index (MFI) = 3.5 g/ 10 min (230°C/2.16 kg), purchased from Braskem (Bahia, Brazil), used as the composites matrix. Macaiba almond (MA*), purchased at a local market in Campina Grande/Brazil, was crushed in a knife mill and sieved through #45 mesh.…”

“…Maleic anhydride grafted ethylene propylene diene copolymer (EPDM-MA), coded Royaltuf 498®, with 1.0% maleic anhydride (Nitriflex, Brazil), density 0.87 g/cm 3 and Mooney viscosity at 125°C, supplied by Addivant. Styrene-(ethylene-butylene)-styrene copolymer grafted with 1.7% maleic anhydride (SEBS-MA) under code FG1901, MFI = 5 g/10 min and low molecular weight, purchased from Kraton.…”

“…Environment concerns and the adverse effects promoted by plastic accumulation have led to an exponential increase in the research for sustainable materials over the last few years. [1][2][3][4] Several alternatives, such as biocomposite production, are being developed to minimize these impacts, a promising replacement for synthetic polymers. These materials offer the advantage of significantly reducing the plastics' degradation time in the environment.…”

Toward the production of biopolyethylene‐based ecocomposites with improved performance: The potential of eggshell particles as an ecological additive

“…[6][7][8] Developing ecocomposites and better adapting plastics production processes are necessary to reduce environmental damage. 9,10 Recently, [11][12][13][14] much attention has been focused on producing ecocomposites reinforced with natural raw materials due to biodegradability, low density, wide availability, low cost, carbon capture, and usually low energy content. The main renewable polymer matrices used for ecological composites production are polycaprolactone, 15,16 poly(lactic acid), 17,18 polyhydroxybutyrate, 19,20 poly(butylene adipate co-terephthalate), 21,22 and biopolyethylene (BioPE), 23,24 considering good mechanical properties for structural applications.…”

On the Production of Poly(Lactic Acid) (PLA) Compounds with Metallic Stearates Based on Zinc, Magnesium and Cobalt. Investigation of Torque Rheometry and Thermal Properties

“…10,11 To minimize this problem, the industry and the academic community have invested in safety protocols for the production of ecological polymers, aiming at the development of biopolymers able to biodegrading in natural environments, such as polycaprolactone (PCL), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and poly (lactic acid) (PLA). [12][13][14][15][16] However, PLA has been demonstrated to be the most promising among the biopolymers, considering that it has comparable mechanical properties related to polymers from fossil sources, such as PS and poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET). 17 PLA is a biodegradable thermoplastic obtained from renewable sources, such as corn starch or sugar cane.…”