Poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) Green Composites with Enhanced Rigidity: Influences of Dimension and Surface Modification of Kenaf Fiber Reinforcement

Abstract

Kenaf fibers (KFs) were utilized as reinforcements to prepare poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) green composites. Untreated KFs of KF35 (large dimension) and KF120 (small dimension) imparted the nucleation effect for PBSA crystallization. KF120 exhibited superior nucleation efficiency compared with KF35. The tensile/flexural moduli of PBSA drastically increased after the addition of KF35 or KF120. Successful modifications of KF35 through NaOH(aq) and 3aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) were confirmed. The APS-treated KF (KF35AS) exhibited enhanced interaction with the PBSA matrix compared with NaOH-treated (KF35A) and untreated KF35. KF35A and KF35AS also facilitated the nucleation of PBSA crystallization. The KF35AS-incorporated composites exhibited the highest tensile/flexural moduli among the different KF-added systems at identical loadings. The tensile and flexural moduli increased to 629% and 360% (40 wt % loading), respectively, compared with PBSA. The enhanced interfacial interaction between KF35AS and PBSA lessened the negative influence of KFs on the thermal stability and water absorption of PBSA.

Green Composites from Partially Bio-Based Poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate)-PBSA and Short Hemp Fibers with Itaconic Acid-Derived Compatibilizers and Plasticizers

“…Neat BioPBSA showed a tensile modulus (E) of 281 MPa, a tensile strength of 21.1 MPa, and an elongation at break of 313.6%. These are typical values for this polymer, similar to those reported by other authors [ 42 , 43 ]. These values are indicative of a material with high ductility but with some stiffness.…”

“…The melting points of the composites ranged between 86.1 °C and 88.2 °C. Chiu et al [ 42 ] obtained similar fusing temperatures in composites of PBSA with kenaf fibers, with T m varying between 88–89 °C. The addition of a plasticizing agent such as DBI and compatibilizing agents such as PBSA- g -IA and PBSA- g -MA did not alter the T m of the composites.…”

“…In the temperature range between 0 and 20 °C, the storage modulus decreases dramatically to 212.62 °C. This decrease in mechanical stiffness relates to the glass transition of the material, located at −37 °C and the low intrinsic stiffness of the base polymer [ 42 ]. By incorporating hemp fibers, an increase of the storage modulus is achieved in the different temperature ranges, as can be observed in the non-compatibilized BioPBSA/HEMP sample.…”

Enhancement of Gas Barrier Properties and Durability of Poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate)-Based Nanocomposites for Food Packaging Applications

“…Although the use of LDHs as heat stabilizers and acid scavengers in halogenated polymers (such as PVC) is well known and is used on industrial scale [ 17 ], their use in biodegradable polymers to tune the durability and gas permeability properties has only just recently been reported. For example, recent studies have shown that addition of LDH to neat PBSA can enhance mechanical and gas barrier properties as well as prolong thermal and photo-durability [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Furthermore, previous studies have reported that LDH fillers have in general a catalytic effect on the biodegradation or hydrolytic degradation of different biodegradable polyesters such as poly(lactide acid) and polycaprolactone [ 22 , 23 , 24 ].…”

Chain extender effect of 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid/layered double hydroxide in biopolyesters containing the succinate moiety

“…However, the mechanical, barrier and thermal properties of the neat PBSA are still not sufficient to widen its end-use applications. 31,32 To increase the performances of PBSA, composites have been prepared with polystyrene/titanium dioxide electrospun fibers, 31 graphene oxide, 32 organo-modified montmorillonite, 33,34 halloysite nanotube, 35 kenaf fibers, 36 hydrolyzed collagen, 37 rutile TiO 2 , 38 and hexadecylamine-modified layered zinc phenylphosphonate. 39 PBSA composites with sorbitol and oleic acid modified LDHs have been reported by Chen et al: the authors discussed about the biodegradation, which was hindered by LDH.…”