Effect of Cellulose and Cellulose Nanocrystal Contents on the Biodegradation, under Composting Conditions, of Hierarchical PLA Biocomposites

Manzano, Luciano Miguel Galera; Cruz, Miguel Ángel Ruz; Tun, Nora Magally Moo; González, Alex Valadez; Mina, José Santiago Arroyo

doi:10.3390/polym13111855

Cited by 16 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…It can be seen that the incorporation of cellulosic reinforcements decreases this fraction by up to 15%, with nanocrystals promoting this decrease to a greater extent. These results corroborate the crystallinity slow-down PLA biodegradation that other authors have pointed out [ 14 , 25 , 27 , 50 , 51 , 53 ]. Regarding the initial fraction that is most recalcitrant to biodegradation ( C s0 ), it can be seen that it ranges from 20 to 30% in the materials studied.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 92%

“…These results show that the NCCs, in presence of cellulose microfibers, enhance the biodegradability of PLA and are in agreement with the results reported by other authors [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. Galera-Manzano et al [ 53 ] studied the drum-composting biodegradation of PLA multiscale composites and reported that a synergistic effect exists when both cellulosic fibers were incorporated simultaneously in the biocomposites.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessing the Effect of Cellulose Nanocrystal Content on the Biodegradation Kinetics of Multiscale Polylactic Acid Composites under Controlled Thermophilic Composting Conditions

Colli-Gongora,

Moo-Tun,

Herrera-Franco

et al. 2023

Polymers

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This work studied the effect of cellulose nanocrystal (NCC) content on the biodegradation kinetics of PLA-based multiscale cellulosic biocomposites (PLAMCBs). To facilitate biodegradation, the materials were subjected to thermo-oxidation before composting. Biodegradation was carried out for 180 days under controlled thermophilic composting conditions according to the ASTM D 5338 standard. A first-order model based on Monod’s kinetics under limiting substrate conditions was used to study the effect of cellulose nanocrystal (NCC) content on the biodegradation kinetics of multiscale composite materials. It was found that thermo-oxidation at 70 °C for 160 h increased the biodegradability of PLA. Also, it was found that the incorporation of cellulosic fibrous reinforcements increased the biodegradability of PLA by promoting hydrolysis during the first stage of composting. Likewise, it was found that partial substitution of micro cellulose (MFC) by cellulose nanocrystals (NCCs) increased the biodegradability of the biocomposite. This increase was more evident as the NCC content increased, which was attributed to the fact that the incorporation of cellulose nanocrystals facilitated the entry of water into the material and therefore promoted the hydrolytic degradation of the most recalcitrant fraction of PLA from the bulk and not only by surface erosion.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the Effect of Cellulose Nanocrystal Content on the Biodegradation Kinetics of Multiscale Polylactic Acid Composites under Controlled Thermophilic Composting Conditions

Colli-Gongora,

Moo-Tun,

Herrera-Franco

et al. 2023

Polymers

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“…For example, the addition of microsized cellulose (MFC) significantly increased the weight loss and molecular weight loss of PLA during composting experiments, while the addition of CNC decreased both. This was explained by accelerated surface degradation in the presence of MFC, indicating that the biodegradation process started from the hydrophilic MFC . Opposite results have also been reported where the weight loss increased as a function of CNC addition to PHB/PCL blends .…”

Section: Degradation During Real or Simulated Compostingmentioning

confidence: 55%

“…This was explained by accelerated surface degradation in the presence of MFC, indicating that the biodegradation process started from the hydrophilic MFC. 103 Opposite results have also been reported where the weight loss increased as a function of CNC addition to PHB/ PCL blends. 104 In accordance, the blend of bacterial cellulose with PHB also increased the biodegradation of PHB as measured by the release of CO 2 under controlled aerobic composting conditions.…”

Section: Degradation During Real or Simulated Compostingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Degradation of Cellulose Derivatives in Laboratory, Man-Made, and Natural Environments

Erdal

Hakkarainen

2022

Biomacromolecules

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Biodegradable polymers complement recyclable materials in battling plastic waste because some products are difficult to recycle and some will end up in the environment either because of their application or due to wear of the products. Natural biopolymers, such as cellulose, are inherently biodegradable, but chemical modification typically required for the obtainment of thermoplastic properties, solubility, or other desired material properties can hinder or even prevent the biodegradation process. This Review summarizes current knowledge on the degradation of common cellulose derivatives in different laboratory, natural, and man-made environments. Depending on the environment, the degradation can be solely biodegradation or a combination of several processes, such as chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis, photodegradation, and oxidation. It is clear that the type of modification and especially the degree of substitution are important factors controlling the degradation process of cellulose derivatives in combination with the degradation environment. The big variation of conditions in different environments is also briefly considered as well as the importance of the proper testing environment, characterization of the degradation process, and confirmation of biodegradability. To ensure full sustainability of the new cellulose derivatives under development, the expected end-of-life scenario, whether material recycling or “biological” recycling, should be included as an important design parameter.

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“…Other studies focused on the design factors affecting the speed and degree of degradation. For example, microfibrillated cellulose was found to increase the degradation of PLA composites while cellulose nanocrystals retard degradation ( Manzano et al ., 2021 ). The material thickness was also found to correlate with the disintegration speed of PLA and PBS blends ( Tolga et al ., 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lab-scale and full-scale industrial composting of biodegradable plastic blends for packaging

Chong,

Hofmann,

Haye

et al. 2024

Open Res Europe

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Background The acceptance of compostable plastic packaging in industrial composting plants is not universal despite available certification due to the persistence of plastic residues after composting. To better understand this discrepancy, this study compared the disintegration rates of two blends designed for rigid packaging (polylactic acid based) and soft packaging (polybutylene succinate based) in lab-scale composting tests and in an industrial composting plant. Methods A lab-scale composting test was conducted in triplicates according to ISO 20200 for 4, 8 and 12 weeks to check the disintegration potential of the blends. Duplicate test material were then exposed in the compost pile of an industrial composting plant for a duration of 3 weeks and compared with a supplementary lab-scale test of the same duration. Results The rigid packaging samples (1 mm thickness) retained on average 76.4%, 59.0% and 55.7% of its mass after 4, 8 and 12 weeks respectively in the lab-scale. In the plant, the average remaining mass was 98.3%, much higher compared to the average of 68.9% after 3 weeks in the supplementary lab-scale test. The soft packaging samples (109±9 µm sample thickness) retained on average 45.4%, 10.9% and 0.3% of its mass after 4, 8 and 12 weeks respectively in the lab-scale. In the plant, a high average remaining mass was also observed (93.9%). The supplementary lab-scale test showed similar remaining mass but higher fragmentation after 3 weeks. Conclusions The results show that the samples achieved significant disintegration in the lab-scale but not in the plant. The difference between the tests that might further contribute to the differing degradation rates is the composition and heterogeneity of the composting substrate. Therefore, the substrate composition and thermophilic composting duration of individual plants are important considerations to determine the suitability of treating compostable plastic in real-world conditions.

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Effect of Cellulose and Cellulose Nanocrystal Contents on the Biodegradation, under Composting Conditions, of Hierarchical PLA Biocomposites

Cited by 16 publications

References 58 publications

Assessing the Effect of Cellulose Nanocrystal Content on the Biodegradation Kinetics of Multiscale Polylactic Acid Composites under Controlled Thermophilic Composting Conditions

Assessing the Effect of Cellulose Nanocrystal Content on the Biodegradation Kinetics of Multiscale Polylactic Acid Composites under Controlled Thermophilic Composting Conditions

Degradation of Cellulose Derivatives in Laboratory, Man-Made, and Natural Environments

Lab-scale and full-scale industrial composting of biodegradable plastic blends for packaging

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