No abstract

In this study, biocomposites of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx)/cellulose microcrystalline (MCC) extracted from olive husk flour are prepared by melt compounding at various filler content ratios, i.e., 10, 20, and 30 wt%. The effect of the MCC content on the morphology, thermal stability, crystallinity, and water uptake of the PHBHHx biocomposites is investigated. The results showed that the addition of MCC to PHBHHx decreased the thermal stability of the biocomposites compared to that of neat polymer, however more pronounced at a higher filler content. This is due probably to the tendency of MCC particles to agglomerate, inducing heterogeneities and defects within the polymer matrix observed by scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, both crystallinity and water uptake after 24 h of immersion increased with the filler content.

Green biocomposites based on poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) reinforced with Agave Americana fibers (AAF) were elaborated by melt compounding at various fiber content ratios, that is, 10, 20, and 30 wt.%. Morphology before and after tensile testing, rheological, viscoelastic, mechanical, and thermal properties of the biocomposite samples were investigated with respect to the AAF content. Tensile and DMA data showed a significant increase in both Young’s modulus and storage modulus of PHBHHx biocomposites with the AAF content, however, more relevant at 30 wt.%. However, a slight decrease in tensile strength and strain at break was observed, while thermal stability remained almost unchanged whatever the AAF content. The study highlighted the reinforcement effect of AAF in PHBHHx biocomposite materials, in particular at filler content of 30 wt. %.

This paper aims to investigate the effect of different chemical modifications of biocomposites based on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH) and aloe vera bio-fibers incorporated at 20 wt%. The fiber surface was modified with alkaline, organosilanes, and combined alkaline/organosilanes. Surface morphology, thermal stability, water absorption capacity, and rheological behavior of the modified biocomposite materials were studied, and the results compared to both unmodified biocomposites and neat PHBH. The study showed that the modified biocomposites with both alkaline and organosilanes exhibited an improved surface morphology, resulting in a good fiber/matrix interfacial adhesion. As a result, increases in complex viscosity, storage modulus, and loss modulus were observed, whereas water absorption was reduced. Thermal stability remained almost unchanged, with the exception of the biocomposite treated with alkaline, where this property decreased significantly. Finally, the coupling of alkaline and organosilane modification is an efficient route to enhance the properties of PHBH biocomposites.

The development of new bio‐based and biodegradable composites with enhanced performances is an efficient route to achieve a sustainable materials production. In this work, biocomposites materials based on PHBHHx reinforced with Agave leaves fibers (ALF) are elaborated by melt compounding at various filler content ratios, i.e., 10, 20, and 30 wt%. Thermal stability, tensile, and surface properties are investigated aiming to evaluate the effect of the ALF content on the material properties. The results show that the addition of ALF leads to reinforcement effect on PHBHHx, which is more pronounced at 30 wt%. Conversely, thermal stability of the biocomposites slightly decreases compared with the neat polymer, while the surface properties are almost unchanged whatever the filler content.