Biopolyethylene/Morinda citrifolia cellulosic biocomposites: The impact of chemical crosslinking and PE‐g‐MA compatibilizer

Abstract

The development of new ecological materials to promote sustainability is being encouraged. Crosslinked biopolyethylene (BioPE)/noni flour (Morinda citrifolia) biocomposites were prepared using maleic anhydride-grafted polyethylene (PE-g-MA) and dicumyl peroxide (DCP). The biocomposites were processed in an internal mixer and injection molded. Torque rheometry, Izod impact strength, tensile strength, heat deflection temperature (HDT), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) properties were investigated. Torque rheometry curves suggest that the biocomposites did crosslink due to the DCP attack on the BioPE chain. The BioPE/noni flour/PE-g-MA formulation with 0.5% and 1% DCP produced a higher level of crosslinking. As a result, the mechanical properties (impact strength, elastic modulus, and tensile strength) were improved. SEM showed fractured noni flour particles in the BioPE matrix with the formation of a tubular structure. The HDT increased, suggesting that the biocomposites exhibit enhanced thermomechanical strength. Furthermore, the biocomposites thermal properties obtained by DSC underwent few modifications. The TG results showed that the crosslinked biocomposites have better thermal stability than the noncrosslinked biocomposites. The crosslinking process of BioPE/noni flour biocomposites with the PE-g-MA/DCP hybrid is an effective way to improve the performance of these materials.

Extraction of natural fibers of Catole coconut (Syagrus Cearensis): Application as reinforcing filler in polypropylene‐based composites

“…The HDT is a key parameter for quality control in the plastics industry 77,78 . The HDT evaluates the structural stability limits of a polymer subjected to thermal and mechanical stresses 79 .…”

“…The HDT is a key parameter for quality control in the plastics industry. 77,78 The HDT evaluates the structural stability limits of a polymer subjected to thermal and mechanical stresses. 79 In other words, it measures a material's stiffness or ability to stay rigid and maintain shape integrity under simultaneous heating and constant loading.…”

Bio‐Polyethylene and Polyethylene Biocomposites: An Alternative toward a Sustainable Future

“…In another interesting work, Luna and colleagues [ 109 ] fabricated biocomposites made of bio‐PE and noni flour (Morinda citrifolia) through reactive extrusion and injection molding using dicumyl peroxide (DCP) and polyethylene‐graft‐maleic anhydride (PE‐g‐MA). Due to free radicals and the eventual formation of links because of the DCP attack on the Bio‐PE chain, the resulting bio‐PE/noni flour biocomposites with 0.5% PE‐g‐MA and 1% DCP were highly crosslinked.…”

Compostos de biopolietileno/línter de algodão compatibilizados com PE-g-MA

“…O biopolietileno (Bio-PE) produzido a partir de etanol derivado da cana-de-açúcar, embora não seja biodegradável, mantém o equilíbrio de dióxido de carbono (CO2) na natureza (Bezerra et al, 2019a). Além de ser um material ecológico, o Bio-PE apresenta as mesmas propriedades técnicas e processáveis da resina feita a partir de fontes fósseis (Brito et al, 2012;Luna et al, 2021). Por isso, o desenvolvimento de compósitos com matriz polimérica de Bio-PE é considerado primordial, tanto pelo potencial de aplicação tecnológica, como pela diminuição dos impactos ambientais (Castro et al, 2012;Silva et al, 2021).…”