Plant-based biocomposites of thermoplastic starch/kenaf fiber/tartaric acid: tailoring interface through low-toxic...

Growing environmental concerns about petroleum-based plastics and synthetic fibers have motivated researchers to find sustainable alternatives from natural polymers and plant fibers. In this research, kenaf fibers (KFs) were pulped with glycerol and ethylene glycol solvents, which have high safety and low environmental risks. The obtained KF pulps were modified by tartaric acid (TA). Then, the prepared KF-based fillers were incorporated into the starch/glycerol mixture (SG). The objective of this study was to prepare all-green biocomposites with enhanced properties through applying plant-based materials and environmentally friendly strategies. The effects of the mentioned pulping and TA modification methods of KF on the final properties of SG filled with KF were investigated and compared with those of the SG/KF pulped with ungreen soda-pulping strategy. The findings showed that the solvent pulping methods were comparatively more successful in the KF fibrillation. Furthermore, the KF pulp obtained by the environmentally friendly methods had better dispersion in the SG matrix, hence providing better mechanical and water resistance properties. For the biocomposite containing KFs pulped with ethylene glycol, the Young modulus, tensile strength, impact resistance, and water absorption of SG were improved by 2173 %, 617 %, 37 %, and 29 %, respectively.