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Biopolymers are biodegradable and renewable and can significantly reduce environmental impacts. For this reason, biocomposites based on a plasticized starch and cross-linker matrix and with a microfibrillated OCC cardboard cellulose reinforcement were developed. Biocomposites were prepared by suspension casting with varied amounts of microfibrillated cellulose: 0, 4, 8, and 12 wt%. Polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (PEGDE) was used as a cross-linking, water-soluble, and non-toxic agent. Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) from OCC cardboard showed appropriate properties and potential for good performance as a reinforcement. In general, microfiber incorporation and matrix cross-linking increased crystallization, reduced water adsorption, and improved the physical and tensile properties of the plasticized starch. Biocomposites cross-linked with PEGDE and reinforced with 12 wt% MFC showed the best properties. The chemical and structural changes induced by the cross-linking of starch chains and MFC reinforcement were confirmed by FTIR, NMR, and XRD. Biodegradation higher than 80% was achieved for most biocomposites in 15 days of laboratory compost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the synthesis and characterization of chitosan/gelatine films incorporating nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) and cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles. The magnetic nanoparticles exhibit superparamagnetic behaviour, making them attractive for various applications, including biomedical uses. The X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the successful synthesis of NiFe2O4 and CoFe2O4 nanoparticles, and the scanning electron micrographs illustrated well-dispersed ferrite nanoparticles within the biopolymer network, despite the formation of some aggregates attributed to magnetic interactions. Magnetization loops revealed lower saturation magnetization values for the composites, attributed to the chitosan/gelatine coating and the dielectric studies, indicating increased dielectric losses in the presence of ferrites, particularly pronounced in the case of NiFe2O4, suggesting interactions at the interface region between the polymer and ferrite particles. The AC conductivity shows almost linear frequency dependence, associated with proton polarization and conduction processes, more significant at higher temperatures for samples with ferrite particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fiber-filled polymer composite is one of the best materials which provides a symmetrical superior strength and stiffness to structures. With the strengthening of people's environmental protection and resource reuse consciousness, the development of renewable materials, especially natural fiber-filled polymer composites, is receiving great attention. This study investigated the mechanical properties of polymer composites incorporating waste materials from the food processing industry and agricultural sources. Waste vegetal fiber-filled polymer biocomposites (WVFFPBs) with varying fiber types and 3D printing orientations were systematically fabricated. Subsequently, the tensile tests were executed to comprehensively assess the anisotropic mechanical behaviors of the WVFFPBs. The results demonstrated that WVFFPBs performed excellent anisotropic mechanical properties compared to pristine matrix samples as print orientation changed. As the printing angle increased from 0° to 90°, the tensile mechanical properties of the WVFFPBs displayed a decreasing trend. Moreover, the print orientation–anisotropic mechanical behavior relationship of 3D-printed WVFFPBs was revealed through the analysis of the material manufacturing characteristics and damage features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]