Evaluation of Mussel Shells Powder as Reinforcement for PLA-Based Biocomposites.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Waste Valorization

Background:

• Biocomposites utilize biopolyesters and natural fillers from food production by-products.
• Mussel shells, primarily calcium carbonate (CaCO3), present an opportunity for waste valorization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) derived from mussel shells as a filler in biocomposites.
• To evaluate the properties of biocomposites using mussel shell-derived CaCO3 in a Polylactic acid (PLA) and Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) matrix.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of biocomposites using mussel shell-derived CaCO3 and a PLA/PBAT matrix.
• Evaluation of thermal, mechanical, morphological, and physical properties.
• Analysis of micromechanical mechanisms using predictive models.

Main Results:

• Biocomposites containing mussel shell-derived CaCO3 exhibited comparable performance to those with standard calcium carbonate fillers.
• The study confirmed the viability of CaCO3 from mussel shells as a functional filler material.
• Analytical models provided insights into the micromechanical behavior of the biocomposites.

Conclusions:

• Mussel shells can be effectively valorized into high-value biocomposite products.
• Waste mussel shells represent a sustainable resource for biocomposite production.
• The findings support the industrial-scale application of mussel shell-derived fillers.