On the Correlation of Lignocellulosic Filler Composition with the Performance Properties of Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Based Biocomposites

Abstract

In this work, three types of agricultural waste: olive stones (OS), date seed (DS) and wheat bran (WB) were applied as potential lignocellulosic fillers in poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) based biocomposites. Differences in composites' performance were related to the higher content of proteins, noted for WB comparing to other fillers applied, which enhanced plasticization of PCL matrix. The mechanical properties of biocomposites were significantly affected by the agricultural waste fillers. Use of WB caused an obvious, even 25% decrease of tensile strength and hardness, which could be explained on account of glass transition temperature depletion and weaker matrix-filler interfacial interactions. Such phenomenon also increased water uptake of PCL/WB composites by more than 100%, while for PCL/OS and PCL/DS systems only for about 50%. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that all investigated composites can be effectively processed without thermal decomposition. Generally, the outcome of this work demonstrated that OS, DS, and WB could be applied as promising lignocellulosic fillers used in manufacturing of high-performance polymer biocomposites.

The influence of oil content within lignocellulosic filler on thermal degradation kinetics and flammability of polylactide composites modified with linseed cake

“…The peak of dTG can be observed at 306 C, accompanied by a small shoulder around 260 C. They can be attributed to decomposition of cellulose and hemicellulose, respectively. [21,35] The residual mass after the experiment is almost 25%, which is typical for lignocellulosic fillers. [35] The composite samples begin the decomposition at 299 C to 309 C. Unlike in the case of the LC-4.6 filler, no mass loss in the low temperature range is visible, which indicates that the amount of water absorbed by the samples is negligible.…”

“…[20] Similarly, the addition of ground date seeds causes an increase of tensile modulus of poly(ε-caprolactone). [21] Rice husk ash, due to high content of silica, may be successfully used as a filler for various polymeric materials, as it was studied by Ayswarya et al, who used high-density polyethylene. [22] LC can also be successfully added as a filler for polymeric composites.…”

“…[32] Pan, Mei, and Song tested fire behavior of HDPE-based composites filled with 30% of wood flour and found out that the addition of the lignocellulosic filler resulted in 116% increase in total heat release (THR) and 64% increase in total smoke release (TSR) during the cone calorimetry test. [33] Hejna et al showed in their study that presence of different lignocellulosic waste fillers in poly(ε-caprolactone) causes a severe deterioration of thermal stability of the composites; in the case of 50% addition of wheat bran, the temperature of 10% mass loss dropped off 120 C. [21] Similarly, in the case of polylactide filled with banana fiber, the presence of the filler caused an almost 140 C decrease of thermal degradation temperature. [34] As it reveals from the literature data, it is reasonable to hypothesize that LC-filled polylactide (PLA) composites show low thermal stability and increased flammability.…”

A Clean and Sustainable Cellulose‐Based Composite Film Reinforced with Waste Plastic Polyethylene Terephthalate

“…Moreover, MC has many attractive properties such as excellent film-making capability, good biodegradability, nontoxicity, and strong mechanical property [31][32][33]. Based on these excellent properties, MC is widely used in the production of self-repairing coatings, food packaging materials, and high-performance composites [34][35][36][37].…”

Poly(lactic acid) green composites filled with linseed cake as an agricultural waste filler. Influence of oil content within the filler on the rheological behavior

“…They may also serve as antioxidants or thermal stabilizers for the polymer . Moreover, their use as fillers has become an attractive biomass valorization strategy, including the use of postconsumer as well postagricultural fillers from food industry . It should be mentioned that in most cases the incorporation of the fillers into a thermoplastic polymeric matrix results in an increase in the compositions' viscosity .…”