Biodegradability and improved mechanical performance of polyhydroxyalkanoates/agave fiber biocomposites compatibilized by different strategies |
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Authors: | Miguel Gallardo-Cervantes Yolanda González-García Aida Alejandra Pérez-Fonseca Martín Esteban González-López Ricardo Manríquez-González Denis Rodrigue Jorge Ramón Robledo-Ortíz |
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Affiliation: | 1. Departamento de Madera, Celulosa y Papel, Universidad de Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico;2. Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico;3. Department of Chemical Engineering and CERMA, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada |
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Abstract: | In this work, biocomposites made of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) with natural fibers were produced via compression molding. In particular, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and polyhydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV) were reinforced with 20 wt% of agave fibers. Different compatibilization strategies were investigated to improve the fiber-matrix interaction: fiber surface treatment in PHA solution, fiber surface treatment in maleated PHA solution, fiber propionylation, and extrusion with maleated PHA. The biocomposites were characterized in terms of morphology, mechanical properties, water absorption, and biodegradability by CO2 production tracking. In general, fiber propionylation was the best strategy for mechanical properties enhancement and water uptake decreasing. Biocomposites with propionylated fibers showed improved flexural strength (170% for PHB and 84% for PHBV). The flexural modulus was also enhanced with propionylated fibers up to 19% and 18% compared to uncompatibilized biocomposites (PHB and PHBV, respectively). Tensile strength increased by 16% (PHB) and 14% (PHBV), and the water absorption was reduced using propionylated fibers going from 6.6% to 4.4% compared with biocomposites with untreated fibers. Most importantly, the impact strength was also improved for all biocomposites by up to 96% compared with the neat PHA matrices. Finally, it was found that the compatibilization did not negatively modify the PHA biodegradability. |
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Keywords: | biocomposites biodegradability compatibilization mechanical properties polyhydroxybutyrate polyhydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate |
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