Development of Biodegradable Composites Using Polycaprolactone and Bamboo Powder

Abstract

The use of biodegradable polymers in daily life is increasing to reduce environmental hazards. In line with this, the present study aimed to develop a fully biodegradable polymer composite that was environmentally friendly and exhibited promising mechanical and thermal properties. Bamboo powder (BP)-reinforced polycaprolactone (PCL) composites were prepared using the solvent casting method. The influence of BP content on the morphology, wettability, and mechanical and thermal properties of the neat matrix was evaluated. In addition, the degradation properties of the composites were analysed through soil burial and acidic degradation tests. It was revealed that BP contents had an evident influence on the properties of the composites. The increase in the BP content has significantly improved the tensile strength of the PCL matrix. A similar trend is observed for thermal stability. Scanning electron micrographs demonstrated uniform dispersion of the BP in the PCL matrix. The degradation tests revealed that the biocomposites with 40 wt·% of BP degraded by more than 20% within 4 weeks in the acidic degradation test and more than 5% in the soil burial degradation test. It was noticed that there was a considerable difference in the degradation between the PCL matrix and the biocomposites of PCL and BP. These results suggest that biodegradable composites could be a promising alternative material to the existing synthetic polymer composites.

Tannin improves the processability and delays the biodegradability of poly (lactic acid)‐starch‐based thermoset materials produced by injection molding made with renewable compounds

“…The thermal stability of both BTM‐CONT and BTM‐TAN were similar, reinforcing the FT‐IR data which suggested that addition of 1% tannin did not induce significant physicochemical changes in the BTM blends. An initial weight loss of ~2%–5% in both samples were observed below 200°C, which can be associated with the moisture and volatile compounds evaporation as reported early 39,42–44 …”

“…An initial weight loss of $2%-5% in both samples were observed below 200 C, which can be associated with the moisture and volatile compounds evaporation as reported early. 39,[42][43][44] Before exposition to biodegradation, the thermal degradation of BTM occurred in two steps, with a smooth degradation peak at 240 C corresponding to a weight loss of around 15% and a strong degradation peak at 357 C with about 80% of weight loss. Conversely, materials submitted to the biodegradation process for 30 or 60 days showed only one thermal degradation step near 360 C, with weight losses around 85% (Figure 4a).…”

Evaluation of physical and mechanical properties of epoxy composites filled with bio-fiber derived from bambara nut shell fiber

“…Besides, the hydrophilic behaviour of bambara nut shell ller upgrades the water uptake via appearance of hydrogen bonds between ller and water moieties. Then, increasing the Bambara nut ller loading increased the evolution of the hydrogen bond between ller and water moieties [45]. Many works of researchers reported that water absorption of natural bre/epoxy composite increases with an increase in ller loading [34,46].…”

Bio-Based Polyurethane Foams for the Removal of Petroleum-Derived Pollutants: Sorption in Batch and in Continuous-Flow

“…Cellulose and its derivatives can also be used as additives or reagents in polymerization reactions to replace non-renewable chemicals and create bio-based materials [ 30 , 31 , 32 ]. Bio-based materials not only have the advantage of being cheaper because they exploit renewable resources, but also possess biodegradability and eco-compatibility characteristics [ 33 , 34 ].…”