Effect of glassy carbon addition and photodegradation on the biodegradation in aqueous medium of poly (3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate)/glassy carbon green composites

Abstract

The use of biodegradable polymers is an interesting way to reduce the polymeric waste accumulation in the environment. However, the addition of fillers to biodegradable polymer matrices may decrease their biodegradability. Glassy carbon (GC) is a promising carbon material that can be employed as a filler in the production of antistatic packaging utilized to protect electronic components. The use of a biodegradable polymeric matrix such as poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) can be an excellent alternative for the preparation of green composites to be used in these packages. This work aims to evaluate the effect of the GC addition and the GC particle size on the biodegradability of the PHBV matrix, as well as to study the result of the employment of a previous photodegradation treatment on the biodegradation in aqueous medium of PHBV/GC composites. Scanning electron microscopy, residual weight measurement (%) and surface roughness showed that GC does not interfere negatively with PHBV biodegradability. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis and residual weight measurement permitted to suggest that the increase in the crystallinity degree of PHBV and PHBV/GC samples occasioned by the ultraviolet radiation hindered the water and enzyme access to the bulk of the materials, decreasing the biodegradability.

Effect of fiber surface treatment on mechanical, interfacial, and moisture absorption properties of cattail fiber‐reinforced composites

“…The moisture absorption kinetics of fiber-reinforced composites was modeled using the following Equation (4).…”

“…Natural lignocellulosic fibers, such as flax, hemp, ramie, kenaf, sisal, and jute, have been studied as sustainable substitutes for glass fibers for reinforcing polymer matrix composites. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] In terms of specific mechanical properties, these plant-based fibers, extracted from bast, leaves, seeds, fruits, wood, stalks, and grasses/reeds, [13][14][15] are on par with those of glass fibers. [16][17][18] The properties of the natural fiber composites are influenced by the properties of the fiber, fiber aspect ratio, fiber orientation, fiber moisture absorption, and fiber volume fraction.…”

“…Natural fibers are preferable as reinforcement for polymer matrix composites because of their low density and renewability over synthetic fibers. Natural lignocellulosic fibers, such as flax, hemp, ramie, kenaf, sisal, and jute, have been studied as sustainable substitutes for glass fibers for reinforcing polymer matrix composites 1–12 . In terms of specific mechanical properties, these plant‐based fibers, extracted from bast, leaves, seeds, fruits, wood, stalks, and grasses/reeds, 13–15 are on par with those of glass fibers 16–18 …”