Characterization Study of Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) Fibers Reinforcement in Poly(Butylene) Succinate (PBS)/Starch/Glycerol Composite Sheet

Abstract

In this study, a mixture of thermoplastic polybutylene succinate (PBS), tapioca starch, glycerol and empty fruit bunch fiber was prepared by a melt compounding method using an industrial extruder. Generally, insertion of starch/glycerol has provided better strength performance, but worse thermal and water uptake to all specimens. The effect of fiber loading on mechanical, morphological, thermal and physical properties was studied in focus. Low interfacial bonding between fiber and matrix revealed a poor mechanical performance. However, higher fiber loadings have improved the strength values. This is because fibers regulate good load transfer mechanisms, as confirmed from SEM micrographs. Tensile and flexural strengths have increased 6.0% and 12.2%, respectively, for 20 wt% empty fruit bunch (EFB) fiber reinforcements. There was a slightly higher mass loss for early stage thermal decomposition, whereas regardless of EFB contents, insignificant changes on decomposition temperature were recorded. A higher lignin constituent in the composite (for high natural fiber volume) resulted in a higher mass residue, which would turn into char at high temperature. This observation indirectly proves the dimensional integrity of the composite. However, as expected, with higher EFB fiber contents in the composite, higher values in both the moisture uptake and moisture loss analyses were found. The hydroxyl groups in the EFB absorbed water moisture through formation of hydrogen bonding.

A Comprehensive Review on Advanced Sustainable Woven Natural Fibre Polymer Composites

“…Biocomposites must have useful characteristics (high-quality performance, durability, and reliability standards) in order to replace synthetic fibre-reinforced composites and extend into other industrial applications, such as traditional petroleum plastics used in automotive applications in particular [ 4 , 5 , 25 , 224 ]. The quest for lightweight vehicle parts, together with good end-of-life disposal, has indirectly opened a gateway to solve the issue of fuel consumption in the automotive sector and thus, reduced greenhouse gas emissions [ 225 ].…”

Corn Starch (Zea mays) Biopolymer Plastic Reaction in Combination with Sorbitol and Glycerol

“…The reduction in dependency upon plastic and petroleum products is one justification for the study of biomass in polymer composite applications [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Moreover, the use of biomass such as kenaf [ 13 ], sugar palm [ 14 , 15 ], water hyacinth [ 16 ], ginger [ 4 , 17 ], and sugarcane bagasse [ 18 , 19 ] to strengthen the composites might contribute to partial waste degradation, which in turn help to solve environmental problems [ 15 , 20 , 21 ].…”

The Effects of Silver Nanoparticles Compositions on the Mechanical, Physiochemical, Antibacterial, and Morphology Properties of Sugar Palm Starch Biocomposites for Antibacterial Coating

“…Starch is composed of both linear and branched polysaccharides, and is known as amylose (15-30%) and amylopectin (70-85%), respectively [11][12][13][14][15]. Starch can be extracted from sugar palm trunk (Arenga Pinnata), a multipurpose material with several industrial uses, especially in plastic packaging.…”