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Abstract Self-reinforced polymer composites (SRCs) are proposed as a suitable alternative for composite development, based in the combination of a polymeric matrix and a polymeric fibre made of the same polymer. SRCs based in polylactide (PLA) could be fully biodegradable and their valorisation routes could presumably be assimilated to those for neat PLA. In this sense, the aim of this study was to develop new self-reinforced PLA-based composites and ascertain their biodegradability. For this purpose, PLA-based SRCs were obtained through a thermo-compression procedure and their biodegradability corroborated under standard conditions (ISO 20200). Moreover, a deep study of the effect of the different factors involved in the biodegradation of the composites such as the temperature, the water and the compost medium was considered relevant to delimitate the long-term properties and valorisation routes for these materials. The macroscopic and microscopic appearance as well as the thermo-oxidative stability, the thermal properties and the molar mass were evaluated. Although degradation was perceived due to the effect of temperature, the synergistic combination of water and temperature ‒and compost‒ was found to play a key role in the biodegradation of these materials. Overall, these SRCs can be considered as promising candidates, since their end-of-life management options can be guaranteed under standardised composting conditions. Highlights • PLA-based self-reinforced polymer composites (SRCs) were successfully developed. • The biodegradability of the PLA-based SRCs was corroborated under standardised conditions (ISO 20200). • The combination of water and temperature ‒and compost‒ was found to play a key role in the biodegradation of these materials. • PLA-based SRCs wastes could be managed and valorised under the same standard composting conditions as PLA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An accelerated hydrothermal degrading test was designed in order to analyse the synergic effect of water and temperature on PLA/sisal biocomposites with and without coupling agent. As well, the physico-chemical properties of biocomposites were monitored along the hydrothermal test by means of Scanning Electron Microscopy, Size Exclusion Chromatography and Differential Scanning Calorimetry. The addition of fibre induced higher water absorption capability and promoted physical degradation, as observed in the surface topography. During the processing of biocomposites and throughout the hydrothermal ageing, a reduction of molecular weight due to chain scission was found. As a consequence, a faster formation of crystalline domains in the PLA matrix occurred the higher the amount of fibre was, which acted as a nucleating agent. Higher crystallinity was considered as a barrier against the advance of penetrant and a reduction in the diffusion coefficient was shown. The addition of coupling agent presented a different influence depending on the composition, showing an inflection point around 20% of sisal fibre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of biocomposites of poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-valerate) (PHBV) and sisal fibre subjected to hydrothermal tests at different temperatures above the glass transition of PHBV ( T H = 26, 36 and 46 °C) was evaluated in this study. The influences of both the fibre content and presence of coupling agent were focused. The water absorption capability and water diffusion rate were considered for a statistical factorial analysis. Afterwards, the physico-chemical properties of water-saturated biocomposites were assessed by Fourier-Transform Infrared Analysis, Size Exclusion Chromatography, Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Scanning Electron Microscopy. It was found that the water diffusion rate increased with both temperature and percentage of fibre, whereas the amount of absorbed water was only influenced by fibre content. The use of coupling agent was only relevant at the initial stages of the hydrothermal test, giving an increase in the diffusion rate. Although the chemical structure and thermal properties of water-saturated biocomposites remained practically intact, the physical performance was considerably affected, due to the swelling of fibres, which internally blew-up the PHBV matrix, provoking cracks and fibre detachment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this study is to establish a baseline for poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) lifetime prediction in a marine environment, by means of mechanical and physico-chemical characterization of specimens immersed in continuously renewed and filtered natural seawater in the laboratory at different temperatures (4, 25 and 40 °C). Samples were also aged at sea in Lorient harbour in order to compare laboratory and natural degradation mechanisms and kinetics. Due to its morphology, hydrolysis of PHBV in natural seawater is quite slow, and samples were observed to undergo preferentially an enzymatic surface degradation. Increasing the aging temperature in the laboratory promotes the water uptake and causes hydrolysis. As two degradation mechanisms occur in parallel, the choice of test conditions is critical, and the lifetime of PHBV in a marine environment is difficult to predict accurately. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]