Chain Extension of Poly(Lactic Acid) (PLA)–Based Blends and Composites Containing Bran with Biobased Compounds for Controlling Their Processability and Recyclability
The present work focused on the research, design, and study of innovative chain extender systems of renewable origin for PLA–based biocomposites, reinforced with wheat bran as filler. The majority of employed chain extender compounds belongs to fossil world, affecting the biodegradability property w...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-09-01
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| Series: | Polymers |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/18/3050 |
| _version_ | 1797517482123067392 |
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| author | Maria-Beatrice Coltelli Alice Bertolini Laura Aliotta Vito Gigante Alessandro Vannozzi Andrea Lazzeri |
| author_facet | Maria-Beatrice Coltelli Alice Bertolini Laura Aliotta Vito Gigante Alessandro Vannozzi Andrea Lazzeri |
| author_sort | Maria-Beatrice Coltelli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The present work focused on the research, design, and study of innovative chain extender systems of renewable origin for PLA–based biocomposites, reinforced with wheat bran as filler. The majority of employed chain extender compounds belongs to fossil world, affecting the biodegradability property which characterizes biopolymers. The aim of this work was thus to find promising biobased and sustainable alternatives to provide the same enhancements. According to this objective, epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) was chosen as principal component of the chain extender systems, together with a dicarboxylic acid, malic acid (MA), or succinic acid (SA). The reactivity of the modifier systems was previously studied through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and IR spectroscopy, to hypothesize the reaction mechanism in bran–filled blends. Hence, small–scale extrusion was carried out to investigate the effects of ESO/MA and ESO/SA on formulations of different composition (both pure PLA blends and composites). The variation of melt fluidity parameters was analyzed to define the optimized concentration of modifier systems. A comparison between the effects on blends of designed biobased systems and the action of fossil–based Joncryl was performed, to understand if the developed green solutions could represent competitive and efficient substitutes. The modified composites were characterized in terms of mechanical tests, degradation and thermal studies (TGA and DSC), and morphological analysis (SEM), to figure out their main features and to understand their potential in possible industrial applications. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T07:17:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-36f9c59aa8cc4b009975fb3137771a84 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4360 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T07:17:11Z |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Polymers |
| spelling | doaj.art-36f9c59aa8cc4b009975fb3137771a842023-11-22T14:55:16ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602021-09-011318305010.3390/polym13183050Chain Extension of Poly(Lactic Acid) (PLA)–Based Blends and Composites Containing Bran with Biobased Compounds for Controlling Their Processability and RecyclabilityMaria-Beatrice Coltelli0Alice Bertolini1Laura Aliotta2Vito Gigante3Alessandro Vannozzi4Andrea Lazzeri5Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, 56122 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, 56122 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, 56122 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, 56122 Pisa, ItalyNational Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), 50121 Florence, ItalyDepartment of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, 56122 Pisa, ItalyThe present work focused on the research, design, and study of innovative chain extender systems of renewable origin for PLA–based biocomposites, reinforced with wheat bran as filler. The majority of employed chain extender compounds belongs to fossil world, affecting the biodegradability property which characterizes biopolymers. The aim of this work was thus to find promising biobased and sustainable alternatives to provide the same enhancements. According to this objective, epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) was chosen as principal component of the chain extender systems, together with a dicarboxylic acid, malic acid (MA), or succinic acid (SA). The reactivity of the modifier systems was previously studied through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and IR spectroscopy, to hypothesize the reaction mechanism in bran–filled blends. Hence, small–scale extrusion was carried out to investigate the effects of ESO/MA and ESO/SA on formulations of different composition (both pure PLA blends and composites). The variation of melt fluidity parameters was analyzed to define the optimized concentration of modifier systems. A comparison between the effects on blends of designed biobased systems and the action of fossil–based Joncryl was performed, to understand if the developed green solutions could represent competitive and efficient substitutes. The modified composites were characterized in terms of mechanical tests, degradation and thermal studies (TGA and DSC), and morphological analysis (SEM), to figure out their main features and to understand their potential in possible industrial applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/18/3050poly(lactic acid)poly(butylene succinate)branchain extenderepoxidized soybean oilsuccinic acid |
| spellingShingle | Maria-Beatrice Coltelli Alice Bertolini Laura Aliotta Vito Gigante Alessandro Vannozzi Andrea Lazzeri Chain Extension of Poly(Lactic Acid) (PLA)–Based Blends and Composites Containing Bran with Biobased Compounds for Controlling Their Processability and Recyclability Polymers poly(lactic acid) poly(butylene succinate) bran chain extender epoxidized soybean oil succinic acid |
| title | Chain Extension of Poly(Lactic Acid) (PLA)–Based Blends and Composites Containing Bran with Biobased Compounds for Controlling Their Processability and Recyclability |
| title_full | Chain Extension of Poly(Lactic Acid) (PLA)–Based Blends and Composites Containing Bran with Biobased Compounds for Controlling Their Processability and Recyclability |
| title_fullStr | Chain Extension of Poly(Lactic Acid) (PLA)–Based Blends and Composites Containing Bran with Biobased Compounds for Controlling Their Processability and Recyclability |
| title_full_unstemmed | Chain Extension of Poly(Lactic Acid) (PLA)–Based Blends and Composites Containing Bran with Biobased Compounds for Controlling Their Processability and Recyclability |
| title_short | Chain Extension of Poly(Lactic Acid) (PLA)–Based Blends and Composites Containing Bran with Biobased Compounds for Controlling Their Processability and Recyclability |
| title_sort | chain extension of poly lactic acid pla based blends and composites containing bran with biobased compounds for controlling their processability and recyclability |
| topic | poly(lactic acid) poly(butylene succinate) bran chain extender epoxidized soybean oil succinic acid |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/18/3050 |
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