The depletion of petroleum resources and the environmental concerns during the last decade, led both academia and industry to look for a new class of ecofriendly materials with improved functional properties. In this regard, the biodegradable composites, also called "green composites" have been paid increasing attention by researchers worldwide. Among all the biodegradable polymers, polyhydroxyalcanoates (PHA) are considered as the potential candidates to replace the petroleum-based polymers. On the other hand, cellulose-based fibers which have many advantages including low cost, good biodegradability and thermal insulation can be used as reinforcement in polymer composites. However, to ensure good adhesion between lignocellulosic fibers and the matrix, the fibersurface is modified using chemical (alkaline, silane, acetylation, benzoylation, acrylation, permanganate, peroxide or isocyanate treatment) or physical treatments (corona or plasma treatment) prior to processing. Therefore, the objective of the paper was to investigate the effect of various surface treatments of Aloe Vera fibers (AVF) used as reinforcement in poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) biocomposites. Indeed, various fiber treatments were carried out involving alkaline, organosilanes and combined alkaline/organosilanes. PHBHHx/AVF biocomposites samples were prepared by melt compounding at loading ratio of 20 wt% selected as an optimal composition. The results showed that the biocomposite PHBHHx/ combined alkaline/organosilanes treated AVF exhibits a finer and homogeneous surface morphology indicating a good fiber/matrix interfacial adhesion. Accordingly, the rheological properties (complex viscosity and storage modulus) were increased and the water uptake was reduced. This study highlights the effectiveness of combined alkaline/organo-silanes treatment of AVF over alkaline and organo-silanes and their applications in PHBHHx biocomposites as an interesting source of cellulosic reinforcing materials.
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A Characterization Study of Morphology and Properties of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) / Aloe Vera Fibers Biocomposites: Effect of Fiber Surface Treatments
Published:
03 November 2020
by MDPI
in The First International Conference on “Green” Polymer Materials 2020
session Biopolymers: Design, Fabrication, Characterization and Applications
Abstract:
Keywords: PHBHHx; Natural fibers; Biocomposites; Alkaline treatments; Organosilanes Treatments
Comments on this paper
Ana Maria Diez-Pascual
10 November 2020
Comment on 10.3390/CGPM2020-07183
Very interesting paper. Why did you select 20 wt% as optimal composition? Have you tried other fiber compositions?
Université de Bejaia
10 November 2020
Thank you for your comment. In fact, this is a good a question, the percentage was selected accroding to litterature which stated that it is an optimal one not only for the biocomposite properties but also for the feasability at an industrial scale. In this case, the study was focused on the effect of the several treatments either alone or combined.
Amina Aragosa
10 November 2020
Amina Aragosa - biocomposite biodegradation
This article is very interesting. I am approaching PHB in my research and I am interested to see how this bio based polymers can improve mechanical, chemical and physical properties when added to lignocellulose fibers. Is it the intention of your further research to study also the biodegradation of the biocomposite/Aloe Vera fibers?
Université de Bejaia
12 November 2020
Thank you for your comment. Indeed, we intend to study the different aging types of the elaborated biocomposites.