Biocomposites of Bio-Polyethylene Reinforced with a Hydrothermal-Alkaline Sugarcane Bagasse Pulp and Coupled with a Bio-Based Compatibilizer

Abstract

Bio-polyethylene (BioPE, derived from sugarcane), sugarcane bagasse pulp, and two compatibilizers (fossil and bio-based), were used to manufacture biocomposite filaments for 3D printing. Biocomposite filaments were manufactured and characterized in detail, including measurement of water absorption, mechanical properties, thermal stability and decomposition temperature (thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA)). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was performed to measure the glass transition temperature (Tg). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied to assess the fracture area of the filaments after mechanical testing. Increases of up to 10% in water absorption were measured for the samples with 40 wt% fibers and the fossil compatibilizer. The mechanical properties were improved by increasing the fraction of bagasse fibers from 0% to 20% and 40%. The suitability of the biocomposite filaments was tested for 3D printing, and some shapes were printed as demonstrators. Importantly, in a cradle-to-gate life cycle analysis of the biocomposites, we demonstrated that replacing fossil compatibilizer with a bio-based compatibilizer contributes to a reduction in CO2-eq emissions, and an increase in CO2 capture, achieving a CO2-eq storage of 2.12 kg CO2 eq/kg for the biocomposite containing 40% bagasse fibers and 6% bio-based compatibilizer.

3D printed food package casings from sugarcane bagasse: a waste valorization study

“…The high-water absorption capacity could be reduced in further studies by applying hydrothermal/soda treatment to the bagasse before 3D printing. This lowers the hemicellulose content of the bagasse that ultimately helps in reducing the swelling behavior of the fibers [59]. Since 3D printing provides customization of the product, the SCB material supply could be printed in the form of tableware and could be utilized for single-time use as the results of our flexural tests are compared with the CT on the 1st day.…”

From Waste to Reuse: Manufacture of Ecological Composites Based on Biopolyethylene/wood Powder with PE-g-MA and Macaíba Oil

“…For this reason, the development of composites with BioPE polymeric matrix is of great importance, due to the potential for technological application and the reduction of environmental impacts [18]. There are works in the literature on polyethylene composites reinforced with jute [19,20], curauá [21], sisal [22,23], coconut ber [24,25], cotton [26], rice husk [27] and wood powder [28,29], suggesting good mechanical properties.…”

Valorization of Sugarcane Straw for the Development of Sustainable Biopolymer-Based Composites

“…Da Silva Pinto et al [ 26 ] incorporated sugarcane fibers to PHB and reported a decreased brittleness. Ehman et al [ 27 ] produced Green-PE/sugarcane bagasse 3D-printed biocomposites using maleic anhydride as a compatibilizer. They reported improvements in the tensile strength and modulus.…”