Green composites obtained from biodegradable renewable resources have gained much attention due to environmental problems resulting from conventionally synthetic plastics and a global increasing demand for alternatives to fossil resources. In this work we used different cellulose fibers from used office paper and newspaper as reinforcement for thermoplastic starch (TPS) in order to improve their poor mechanical, thermal and water resistance properties. These composites were prepared by using tapioca starch plasticized by glycerol (30 % wt/wt of glycerol to starch) as matrix reinforced by the extracted cellulose fibers with the contents ranging from 0 to 8 % (wt/wt of fibers to matrix). Properties of composites were determined by mechanical tensile tests, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, water absorption measurements, scanning electron microscopy, and soil burial tests. The results showed that the introduction of either office paper or newspaper cellulose fibers caused the improvement of tensile strength and elastic modulus, thermal stability, and water resistance for composites when compared to the non-reinforced TPS. Scanning electron microscopy showed a good adhesion between matrix and fibers. Moreover, the composites biological degraded completely after 8 weeks but required a longer time compared to the non-reinforced TPS. The results indicated that these green composites could be utilized as commodity plastics being strong, inexpensive, plentiful and recyclable.
Abstract. Biocomposites sheets were prepared by compression molding from mixtures of corn starch plasticized by glycerol as matrix and cellulose fibers, extracted from used office paper, as reinforcement filler with contents ranging from 0 to 8% wt/wt of fibers to matrix. Properties of composites were determined by mechanical tensile test, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, water absorption measurement, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that higher fibers content raised the tensile strength and elastic modulus up to 109% and 112%, respectively, when compared to the non-reinforced thermoplastic starch (TPS). The addition of the fibers improved the thermal resistance and decreased the water absorption up to 63.6%. Scanning electron microscopy illustrated a good adhesion between matrix and fibers.
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