Poly(butylene succinate) biocomposite modified by amino functionalized ramie fiber fabric towards exceptional mechanical performance and biodegradability

High degradation bioplastics chitosan-based from scale waste of milkfish (Chanos chanos)

Bioplastic that is synthesized from natural materials such as chitosan is a renewable solution to reduce plastic waste in the environment because they are easily decomposed. In this study, chitosan (CS) was extracted from Milkfish scales waste to produce composite bioplastic CS/PVA/PEG to determine the effect of CS on the mechanical properties and degradation time. The average particle size of chitin is 8.5 μm and crystallinity of 57.18 % and for CS, the particle size is 3.5 μm and crystallinity of 64.94 %. The degree of deacetylation of CS is 84.1 % which met the quality standard of Indonesian national standard (SNI) Number: 7949:2013. The tensile strength of bioplastics for 0.5 g CS of 0.21 MPa increases to 0.24 MPa for 2 g CS in composite bioplastics CS/PVA/PEG. The biodegradation performance of bioplastic samples takes 72 h to completely decompose in soil for CS-based and in seawater for chitin-based, means that highly recommended to develop in future.

Development of poly(butylene adipate-co-butylene succinate-co-ethylene adipate-co-ethylene succinate) (PBEAS) net twine as biodegradable fishing gear

Nylon fishing nets have excellent strength and durability, but when lost at sea, their insufficient decomposition destroys habitats and spawning grounds, and pollutes the marine environment. This led to the development of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) resin for biodegradable fishing gear based on aliphatic fibers. Prompted by the low stiffness and elastic recovery of PBS, we introduced two additional components into the molecular structure of PBS: adipic acid and ethylene glycol. These two new components were combined with succinic acid and 1,4-butanediol, the existing components of PBS, to synthesize poly(butylene adipate-co-butylene succinate-co-ethylene adipate-co-ethylene succinate) (PBEAS) resin via esterification and polycondensation reactions of a quaternary aliphatic copolyester. Although the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of PBEAS are similar to those of PBS, it has excellent tensile strength, stiffness, elastic recovery, and biodegradability, with a low melting point for good production efficiency. These improvements are expected to allow PBEAS resin to be applied to gill nets for fish that require high stiffness, thereby expanding the use of biodegradable fishing gear.

Jamil SNA. Polybutylene succinate (PBS)/natural fiber green composites: melt blending processes and tensile properties

An increase in the environmental consciousness at present has enhanced the awareness of researchers in utilizing biodegradable materials for the production of environmentally friendly products. Currently, biodegradable polymers, for example, polylactic acid, polybutylene succinate, polycaprolactone, etc., can be utilized as matrices to produce green composites. Meanwhile, natural fibers have been used as fillers for green composites as they are biodegradable and renewable. In this brief review, the physicochemical properties of selected biodegradable polymer, specifically polybutylene succinate, are demonstrated. Moreover, examples of natural fibers that are usually used to produce green composites are also shown. Additionally, practical methods employed for the preparation of green composites were exposed. The tensile properties of green composites, such as the tensile strength, tensile modulus, and elongation at break at different loadings of natural fibers, are also briefly reviewed. The information obtained in this review provides detailed differences in the preparation methods of green composites. In addition, this brief review supplies a clearer comprehension of the tensile properties of green composites for the usage of semistructural and packaging applications.

Design and characterization of ramie fiber-reinforced composites with flame retardant surface layer including iron oxide and expandable graphite

The ramie plain-woven fabric-reinforced epoxy composites with iron oxide (IO) powders and expandable graphite (EG) particles were fabricated by the hand lay-up and vacuum bagging pressing. The flame retardant layers with IO powders and EG particles have been designed on the surface of the composite structure, to improve the composites flame retardancy. The flame retardancy property of the composites was discussed from the limited oxide index (LOI), vertical burning test, and cone calorimeter test, while the flexural property and interlaminar shear strength of the composites were also investigated through the three-point flexural tests, respectively. It was found that the flame retardancy property of the composites, which contains both IO powders and EG particles, can be greatly improved. However, IO powders and EG particles have a negative effect on flexural properties and interlaminar shear strength of the composites. Also, prepreg with IO powders or EG particles which laminated on the surface layer of the composite with different orders would result in different performances.

A Review on Green Composites Based on Natural Fiber-Reinforced Polybutylene Succinate (PBS)

The need for utilization of environmentally friendly materials has emerged due to environmental pollution that is caused by non-biodegradable materials. The usage of non-biodegradable plastics has increased in the past decades in many industries, and, as a result, the generation of non-biodegradable plastic wastes has also increased. To solve the problem of non-biodegradable plastic wastes, there is need for fabrication of bio-based polymers to replace petroleum-based polymers and provide strategic plans to reduce the production cost of bioplastics. One of the emerging bioplastics in the market is poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) and it has been the biopolymer of choice due to its biodegradability and environmental friendliness. However, there are some disadvantages associated with PBS such as high cost, low gas barrier properties, and softness. To lower the cost of PBS and enhance its properties, natural lignocellulosic fibers are incorporated into the PBS matrix, to form environmentally friendly composites. Natural fiber-based biocomposites have emerged as materials of interest in important industries such as packaging, automobile, and construction. The bonding between the PBS and natural fibers is weak, which is a major problem for advanced applications of this system. As a result, this review paper discusses various methods that are employed for surface modification of the Fibers The paper provides an in-depth discussion on the preparation, modification, and morphology of the natural fiber-reinforced polybutylene succinate biocomposites. Furthermore, because the preparation as well as the modification of the fiber-reinforced biocomposites have an influence on the mechanical properties of the biocomposites, mechanical properties of the biocomposites are also discussed. The applications of the natural fiber/PBS biocomposites for different systems are also reported.

Progress in Biodegradable Flame Retardant Nano-Biocomposites

This paper summarizes the results obtained in the course of the development of a specific group of biocomposites with high functionality of flame retardancy, which are environmentally acceptable at the same time. Conventional biocomposites have to be altered through different modifications, to be able to respond to the stringent standards and environmental requests of the circular economy. The most commonly produced types of biocomposites are those composed of a biodegradable PLA matrix and plant bast fibres. Despite of numerous positive properties of natural fibres, flammability of plant fibres is one of the most pronounced drawbacks for their wider usage in biocomposites production. Most recent novelties regarding the flame retardancy of nanocomposites are presented, with the accent on the agents of nanosize (nanofillers), which have been chosen as they have low or non-toxic environmental impact, but still offer enhanced flame retardant (FR) properties. The importance of a nanofiller’s geometry and shape (e.g., nanodispersion of nanoclay) and increase in polymer viscosity, on flame retardancy has been stressed. Although metal oxydes are considered the most commonly used nanofillers there are numerous other possibilities presented within the paper. Combinations of clay based nanofillers with other nanosized or microsized FR agents can significantly improve the thermal stability and FR properties of nanocomposite materials. Further research is still needed on optimizing the parameters of FR compounds to meet numerous requirements, from the improvement of thermal and mechanical properties to the biodegradability of the composite products. Presented research initiatives provide genuine new opportunities for manufacturers, consumers and society as a whole to create a new class of bionanocomposite materials with added benefits of environmental improvement.

Nano/Micro Hybrid Bamboo Fibrous Preforms for Robust Biodegradable Fiber Reinforced Plastics

The focus on high-strength and functional natural fiber-based composite materials is growing as interest in developing eco-friendly plastics and sustainable materials increases. An eco-friendly fibrous composite with excellent mechanical properties was prepared by applying the bamboo-derived nano and microfiber multiscale hybridization phenomenon. As a result, the cellulose nanofibers simultaneously coated the micro-bamboo fiber surface and adhered between them. The multiscale hybrid phenomenon implemented between bamboo nano and microfibers improved the tensile strength, elongation, Young’s modulus, and toughness of the fibrous composite. The enhancement of the fibrous preform mechanical properties also affected the reinforcement of biodegradable fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP). This eco-friendly nano/micro fibrous preform can be extensively utilized in reinforced preforms for FRPs and other green plastic industry applications.