Poly(lactic acid)/Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) Biocomposites with Differently Treated Cellulose Fibers

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Sustainable Materials

Background:

• Growing environmental concerns drive demand for biobased, biodegradable packaging materials.
• Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) are key biopolymers for sustainable packaging.
• Cellulosic reinforcements offer potential to enhance biocomposite properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of two types of cellulose fibers (with and without lignin) on PLA and PLA/PHB biocomposites.
• To evaluate how fiber size and lignin content influence the mechanical and thermal properties of these biocomposites.
• To assess the suitability of these enhanced biocomposites for packaging applications.

Main Methods:

• Isolation of cellulose fibers (CF) without lignin and cellulose fibers with lignin (CFw) from wood waste.
• Preparation of biocomposites using a melt compounding-masterbatch technique.
• Characterization via in situ X-ray diffraction, polarized optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, mechanical, and thermal analyses.

Main Results:

• Smaller cellulose fibers (CF) improved the mechanical properties of PLA and PLA/PHB.
• Cellulose fibers with lignin (CFw) enhanced the thermal stability of PLA/PHB.
• In situ X-ray diffraction provided insights into crystal structure changes.

Conclusions:

• Cheap cellulose fibers from wood waste can be effectively used to create advanced PLA/PHB biocomposites.
• These materials show significant potential as sustainable alternatives in the packaging sector.
• In situ X-ray diffraction is a valuable tool for understanding complex biomaterial behavior.