Strength Characteristics of Electrospun Coconut Fibre Reinforced Polylactic Acid: Experimental and Representative Volume Element (RVE) Prediction

Abstract

Environmental conservation and waste control have informed and encouraged the use of biodegradable polymeric materials over synthetic non-biodegradable materials. It has been recognized that nano-sized biodegradable materials possess relatively good properties as compared to conventional micron-sized materials. However, the strength characteristics of these materials are inferior to fossil-based non-biodegradable materials. In this study, biodegradable polylactide (PLA), reinforced with treated coconut husk particulates (CCP) for improved mechanical properties, was fabricated using an electrospinning process and representative volume element (RVE) technique, and some of the obtained mechanical properties were compared. It was observed that the electrospun CCP-PLA nanofibre composites show improved mechanical properties, and some of these mechanical properties using both techniques compared favourably well. The electrospun fibres demonstrate superior properties, mostly at 4 wt.% reinforcement. Thus, achieving good mechanical properties utilising agro waste as reinforcement in PLA to manufacture nanocomposite materials by electrospinning method is feasible and provides insight into the development of biodegradable nanocomposite materials.

Morphological, Mechanical and Thermal Characteristics of PLA /<i>Cocos nucifera</i> L Husk and PLA/<i>Zea mays</i> Chaff Lignin Fibre Mats Composites

“…Maximum fracture stress of 0.51 MPa was attained with PLA/CNHL/60 0 C/2 h. There is a 44-344 % improvement in fracture stress of neat PLA (0.018 MPa) when reinforced with lignin. The enhanced fracture stress could be attributed to the control interfacial bond between lignin reinforcement and PLA matrix as stated in Ogunbiyi et al, (2022).…”

Effects of the Grapevine Biochar on the Properties of PLA Composites

“…However, due to the demand for net zero carbon emissions, biodegradable polymers are also being explored in other industries, such as automobiles, electronics, and biomedical engineering [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Because of its extensive benefits, including low energy consumption, environmental friendliness, high transparency, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and reliable mechanical properties [ 9 , 10 , 11 ], PLA has become one of the most commercialized biobased synthetic polymers and accounts for more than 25% of global biodegradable polymer production.…”

Manufacturing process of biodegradable casing from coconut husk fiber

“…Tiene una amplia gama de aplicaciones, que incluyen envasado de alimentos, aislamiento e incluso piezas de automóviles. Es una opción sostenible, renovable y biodegradable [4] que es mejor que los envases de plástico y papel, los cuales perjudican más en comparación con el tiempo que se demoran en degradar.…”