Search

This study investigates the morphology and properties of biocomposites based on a blend of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and poly (lactic acid) (PLA) 50/50 (w/w) reinforced with untreated (UNDF) and alkali‐treated (ATDF) Diss (Ampelodesmos mauritanicus) fibers at 20 wt. %. Moreover, PHBV‐g‐MA used as the compatibilizer was added at 5 wt. % to the alkali‐treated biocomposites. Morphology, and crystallinity, thermal, thermo‐mechanical, rheological and mechanical properties of PHBV/PLA biocomposites were studied. The study showed that the treated Diss fibers were uniformly dispersed in both PLA and PHBV phases. This results in a good interfacial adhesion between the components, as observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Further, the results also indicated that the compatibilized biocomposite samples showed an enhancement in crystallinity degree and heat deflection temperature (HDT) passing from 48.7% to 62.4% and 119.2 to 132.9°C, respectively, in comparison with the neat blend. Similar trend is also observed with the tensile data indicating a significant increase in Young's modulus by almost 48.5% compared to PHBV/PLA matrix. This is due to better interactions between Diss fibers and PHBV/PLA matrix. The results suggest the occurrence of a synergistic effect between PHBV‐g‐MA and alkali‐treated Diss fibers in the development of materials with interesting properties and could be a potential means to expand their applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights The present research investigates the influence of chemical modifications on the surface of Diss fibers (Ampelodesmos mauritanicus) as an effective reinforcing agent for biocomposites based on poly (3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV). The Diss fiber surface underwent three different chemical treatments: alkaline, alkaline/peroxide, and alkaline/silane. Changes in morphology, mechanical properties, thermomechanical behavior, and contact angle measurements of the biocomposite materials were studied according to the following weight ratio PHBV/Diss fibers 80/20. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the fractured surface of the biocomposite samples revealed improved adhesion between Diss fibers and the PHBV matrix after surface modification, compared with the unmodified sample. The study demonstrated that the incorporation of Diss fibers leads to an enhancement in the mechanical performances of PHBV‐based biocomposites. The tensile properties of the modified biocomposites showed a significant increase in Young's modulus compared with the biocomposites with untreated fiber. Similar trends were observed in the data obtained from dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and contact angle measurement. Overall, the study highlights the beneficial effects of Diss fibers modification, particularly with the alkali–silane combination, in enhancing the properties of PHBV biocomposites, there by broadening their potential application fields. The study explores the potential of Diss fibers as an effective reinforcement for PHBV‐based biocomposites. Fully biodegradable biocomposites based on PHBV/Diss fibers are melt‐compounded. Diss fibers are chemically modified by alkaline, alkaline/peroxide, and alkaline/silane. The chemical treatment has considerably enhanced the properties and morphology of the biocomposites, being however much higher for alkaline/silane treatment. The method can be used for specific applications and large‐scale production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper reports some experimental results on the effect of different chemical modifications of Diss fibers on the properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) biocomposites involving alkaline, combined alkaline/peroxide and combined alkaline/silane treatments. The biocomposite samples loaded at 20 wt% were prepared by melt compounding. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed a better fiber-matrix interaction between Diss fiber and matrix after surface fiber treatment. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) results indicated an increase in crystallinity index of the biocomposites. In addition, the incorporation of Diss fibers treated with alkali-silane resulted in an improvement in Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) and shore D hardness from 141.1 °C and 75.1–145.7°C and 86.2, respectively, in comparison with the neat matrix. This also agreed with the flexural properties results, which showed a significant increase in flexural modulus by almost 30 % compared to the neat PHBV. The same trend was observed for water absorption. Overall, combined alkali-silane treatment was found to be most efficient surface treatment method to develop strong interfacial adhesion between PHBV and Diss fiber, increasing the scope of application in manufacturing of light weight green composites. • Effect of various surface treatments on Diss fibers used as reinforcement in PHBV-based biocomposites. • Structural and properties characterization of Diss fibers and PHBV/Diss fibers biocomposite 80/20 (w/w). • Interesting Diss source of cellulosic reinforcing materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the work was to investigate the combined effect of Sepiolite and Cloisite 30B on the morphology and properties of PHBV/PLA 50/50 w/w blend. Scanning electron microscopic analysis showed that the morphology of PHBV/PLA blend was relatively regular and homogeneous in the presence of Cloisite 30B and Sepiolite compared to the virgin blend, indicating a better compatibility between the two base polymers. The thermal stability of PHBV/PLA blend was enhanced by the clay fillers. Modulus and hardness were also increased in comparison with the virgin blend. The rheological measurements showed a significant increase in both the complex viscosity and storage modulus of the filled blend due to interactions between the clays fillers and the PHBV/PLA blend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]