Effect of empty fruit bunches microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) on the thermal, mechanical and morphological properties of biodegradable poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) composites

Abstract

Nowadays, awareness of the environment is rising among society. Thus, more researches on the utilization of biodegradable polymer as an alternative to non-biodegradable polymers have been published. Among various biopolymers, Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) have received a lot of attention because they can be processed using most of the conventional polymer processing methods. PLA is high in strength and modulus, but it is brittle while PBAT is flexible and tough. Thus, PBAT is a good candidate for the toughing of PLA. But when the PLA is blending with PBAT, a certain strength of PLA may be affected. Hence, the reinforcement material is required to improve weakened strength. In this study, PLA was blended with PBAT at various ratios (PLA: PBAT=90: 10, 80: 20, 70: 30) with a melt-blending method. The PLA/PBAT blends at a blend ratio of 80: 20, exhibited optimum mechanical performance. Then, PLA/PBAT blends at a blend ratio of 80: 20 was reinforced with different content of EFB-MCC (1 wt%, 3 wt% and 5 wt%) using an internal mixer. The PLA/PBAT blends reinforced with EFB-MCC composites were produced using the compression moulding method. The mechanical, thermal and morphology properties of the composites were investigated. The impact strength of PLA/PBAT blend after addition of both C-MCC and EFB-MCC up to 5 wt% was reduced. The morphological observations from SEM proved the occurrence of the MCC agglomeration in PLA/PBAT blend. DSC results showed trivial changes between the Tg and Tm of PLA/PBAT blend with PLA/PBAT blend reinforced with both types of MCC. TGA results demonstrated that the PLA/PBAT blend reinforced with EFB-MCC has better thermal stability compared to C-MCC. However, further research is needed to improve the interfacial properties of the immiscible PLA/PBAT by compatibilization and enhance the properties of the MCC reinforced PLA/PBAT blend composites.

Dynamic Moduli of Polybutylene Terephthalate Glass Fiber Reinforced in High-Temperature Environments

“…Overcoming new technological challenges and greater social awareness of environmental protection are the ideal basis for investigating new materials that improve the properties of existing ones, but by putting natural resources to better use. In recent years, considerable efforts have been carried out to develop biodegradable materials [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] and composites [9,10], allowing the reduction of plastic contamination and optimizing composite components and structures. Thermoplastic materials have shown a strong growth due to their good mechanical properties and possibility to be recycled [11].…”

Analysis on the barrier properties of thin film PLA/PBAT reinforced with microcrystalline cellulose

“…The moisture content of thin film samples decrease gradually with the increase in the microcrystalline cellulose. This is because the gradually growing concentrations of MCC encouraged the creation of further hydrogen bonds between PLA/PBAT and MCC molecules and increased the compactness of the thin films [14]. In the other hand, the hygroscopicity of thin films with significant volumes of MCC was weak due to the lower hydrophilicity.…”

Biodegradable, Colorless, and Odorless PLA/PBAT Bioplastics Incorporated with Corn Stover

“…Under the global “carbon emission peak” and “carbon neutrality” strategic background, the dispersion of carbon-abundant biomass fillers into the PLA/PBAT blends is an effective solution to balancing the properties and cost issue without sacrificing its intrinsic properties and its biodegradability. − Various biomass fillers have been studied to modify bioplastic properties, such as starch, natural fibers, nanocellulose, lignin, soybean meal, and protein. − Different forms of cellulose, such as microcrystalline cellulose, microfibrillated cellulose, and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), have been used to enhance the performances of the PLA or PBAT matrix. − For example, PLA/PBAT blend nanocomposites including 3 wt % of CNCs were prepared by the melt compounding method: It was found that the CNCs overall enhanced the viscoelastic properties of blends and improved the PLA crystallization, respectively . However, these nano-cellulosic fibers are highly hydrophilic due to the abundance of hydroxyl groups on their surface, which makes them incompatible with hydrophobic PBAT .…”