Biofiller-Reinforced Biodegradable Polymer Composites

R. Jumaidin, S. M. Sapuan, H. Ismail, R. Jumaidin, S. M. Sapuan, H. Ismail

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN:
  9780367272647
• eBook ISBN:
  9781000198027
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Chemical & Biochemical Engineering
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Presenting a comprehensive overview of the field, Biofiller-Reinforced Biodegradable Polymer Composites examines biodegradable composites derived from biofiller and biodegradable polymers while providing critical information for efficient use of biocomposites developed from natural resources.

• Discusses advanced techniques for the use of both biofiller and biodegradable polymers as the matrix for composites.
• Highlights application of both natural fiber and natural matrix for composites in the development of environmentally friendly and sustainable materials.
• Introduces the basics of biocomposites, the processing and characteristics of new composite materials, and new combinations of composites such as soy protein and nanocellulose.
• Elaborates on the introduction of new materials to develop biodegradable polymers.

This book has been written for researchers, advanced students, and professional engineers and materials scientists working in the area of bio-based polymers, natural fiber composites, and biocomposites.

1 Introduction to Biofiller-Reinforced Degradable Polymer Composites

R.A. Ilyas, S.M. Sapuan, M.R.M. Asyraf, and M.S.N. Atikah

Universiti Putra Malaysia

R. Ibrahim

Forest Research Institute Malaysia

T.T. Dele-Afolabi, and M.D. Hazrol

Universiti Putra Malaysia

CONTENTS

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Classification of Fibers in Composite Materials

1.3 Polymer Matrices as the Main Constituents in Composite Materials

1.4 Biofillers in Polymer Matrices

1.4.1 Biofillers as Fillers/Fibers in Biopolymer Composites

1.5 Potential Applications of Biofiller-Reinforced Degradable Polymer Composites

1.6 Conclusions

Acknowledgments

References

1.1 Introduction

In recent, high performance product derived from bio-based materials has become growing interest for the researchers all around the world [1]. For the past several decades, the conventional-based product was shown an increasing trend due to the significant growth of the global demand towards the material [2, 3, 4 and 5], which was attributable to its diverse and universal properties to be used in the development of science and technology [6, 7 and 8]. The materials are widely used, especially, for structural purposes in the automotive, marine, aerospace, food packaging, and construction sectors due to their lightweight properties such as higher strength and durability [9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16]. Around 140 million tons of petroleum-based polymers is manufactured globally [17]. However, petroleum-based polymers show negative effects on the environment, which leads to several issues, including health problems and pollution. Moreover, the majority of conventional plastics that are used end up in landfill areas. These observations showed that the synthetic plastics contribute to the major solid waste environmental pollutants [18]. Subsequently, the increased costs and the negative effect on environment make the engineers and researchers show high interest in polymer biodegradation [19].

Generally, most of the synthetic plastics are nonbiodegradable, which requires thousands of years to be disposed. This situation is undesirable for the environment, and the subsequent plan should be made to find alternative materials with biodegradable properties [20]. Based on the previous studies, the awareness of global communities is currently being centered on eco-friendly composites (eco-composites), which are made up of natural-based fiber and biopolymer materials [21]. The materials are produced from plants and animal wastes, which are biodegradable and nontoxic. Moreover, they are attractive because they are safe to be processed, and produced neutral and nonpolluted by-products [22]. Currently, it is shown an increasing demand on the eco-composites, which tends to have higher production than before. Several material engineering studies enticed many benefits and advantageous of the bio-based plastics compared to those of man-made plastics [23].

This chapter explains and elaborates the developments of science and technology related to biocomposites from the current research and industrial perspectives. The aim is to further discuss the biofillers incorporated with various types of polymeric matrices such as elastomers, thermoplastic, and thermoset. Moreover, this chapter also explains the mechanical and physical properties of the biocomposites, and the recent developments and applications in this field. Last, this chapter documents the challenges and limitations of the incorporation of biofillers in biocomposites.

1.2 Classification of Fibers in Composite Materials

Basically, a composite material is made up of two or more individual constituents, which are combined together to form a new developed material with improved physical, thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties rather than those individual components acting alone. The reinforcement component in the composite materials usually provides the structure with stiffer and stronger behavior when embedded in the matrix component [24]. The benefits of such composites are that they have higher strength and stiffness [25]. The reinforcement fiber can be obtained from the chemical extraction of rare earth materials, and plant and animal wastes. For the plant-based fibers, the materials are obtained from various parts of the plant, such as bast, seed, fruit, stalk, leaf, and grass. Figure 1.1 shows the classification of resources of plant-based fibers [26]. The plant-based fibers were previously categorized as nonwood fibers. In the recent years, researchers and engineers are focusing on these nonwood fibers since the materials can reduce the dependency on the hard wood fibers, which leads to deforestation. Later, the deforestation will cause the loss of biodiversity [27].

FIGURE 1.1 Classification of plant fibers from the distinct parts of plant [26].

Recently, the increasing use of plant-based fibers can be attributed to their affordability, availability, biodegradability, renewability, recyclability, and processability [28,29]. In addition, the plant-based fibers present many benefits, such as good tensile strength, good insulation properties, lean in term of health risk, low density, and less energy consumption during manufacturing process compared to the conventional petroleum-based fibers [30]. Most of these natural fibers are suitable and have potential to be fabricated into the composite as well as other value-added products. Table 1.1 shows the comparison between plant-based fibers and conventional fibers.

TABLE 1.1
Benefits of Plant-Based Fibers Compared to Conventional Fibers [31,32]

Attribute	Plan...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copy Page
• Contents
• Preface
• Editors
• Contributors
• Chapter 1 Introduction to Biofiller-Reinforced Degradable Polymer Composites
• Chapter 2 Processing and Properties of Poly(lactic acid)/Nanocellulose Nanocomposites
• Chapter 3 Preparation and Characterization of Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate-Co-3-Hydroxyvalerate)/Paddy Straw Powder Biocomposites
• Chapter 4 Surface Modification of Kapok Husk on the Properties of Soy Protein Isolate Biocomposite Films Using Methyl Methacrylate
• Chapter 5 Protein-Based Fillers in Biodegradable Polymer Composites
• Chapter 6 Study of Thermoplastic Starch Incorporation on Polylactic Acid/Natural Rubber Blends via Dynamic Vulcanization Approach
• Chapter 7 Chemical Modification of Nypa fruticans Fiber as Filler on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of PLA/rLDPE Biocomposites
• Chapter 8 Mechanical, Thermal, and Degradation Properties of Linear Low-Density Polyethylene/Polyvinyl Alcohol/Kenaf Bast Powder Composites
• Chapter 9 Mechanical Properties and Degradation Behavior of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Starch Blend
• Chapter 10 Ubi gadong (Dioscorea hispida) as Potential Biocomposite Material: A Comprehensive Review
• Chapter 11 Processing and Modification of Starch into Thermoplastic Materials
• Chapter 12 Modification of Thermoplastic Starch with Natural Fiber
• Chapter 13 Biocomposite Materials in Design for Sustainability
• Chapter 14 Tensile Properties of Sugar Palm Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites: A Comprehensive Review
• Chapter 15 Extraction and Characterization of Malaysian Cassava Starch, Peel, and Bagasse, and Selected Properties of the Composites
• Chapter 16 Characterization of Corn Fiber-Filled Cornstarch Biopolymer Composites
• Index