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Du J, Yang H, Zhao X. Preparation of tomato peel pomace powder/polylactic acid foams under supercritical CO 2 conditions: Improvements in cell structure and foaming behavior. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 270:132480. [PMID: 38763242 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Polylactic acid (PLA) is an eco-friendly material that can help address the problems of petroleum depletion and pollution. Blending renewable biomass materials with PLA to create composite foams with a tunable pore structure, superior performance, and low cost is a green technique for improving the pore structure and mechanical characteristics of single PLA foams. PLA/TP composites were created using melted tomato peel pomace powder (TP), which has a lamellar structure, as a reinforcing agent. Then, the relationship between the vesicle structure, morphology, and properties of the PLA/TP composite foams produced through supercritical CO2 intermittent foaming were investigated. The findings revealed that TP considerably enhanced the rheological characteristics and crystalline behavior of PLA. The PLA/TP composite foam had a better cell structure, compression characteristics, and wettability than pure PLA. The expansion ratio of the PLA/TP composite could reach 18.8, and its thermal conductivity decreased from 174.2 mW/m·K at 100 °C to 57.8 mW/m·K at 120 °C. Furthermore, annealing before foaming decreased the average composite foam blister size from 110.09 to 66.53 μm, and the annealing process also improved compression performance. This study contributes to solving environmental difficulties and creating PLA foams with controlled bubble structures, uniform bubble sizes, and outstanding overall performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianghua Du
- School of Materials Science & Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, China; Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials & Manufacturing Technology, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, China.
| | - Hongwei Yang
- School of Materials Science & Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Xueping Zhao
- School of Materials Science & Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, China
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2
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Gonçalves LFFF, Reis RL, Fernandes EM. Forefront Research of Foaming Strategies on Biodegradable Polymers and Their Composites by Thermal or Melt-Based Processing Technologies: Advances and Perspectives. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1286. [PMID: 38732755 PMCID: PMC11085284 DOI: 10.3390/polym16091286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The last few decades have witnessed significant advances in the development of polymeric-based foam materials. These materials find several practical applications in our daily lives due to their characteristic properties such as low density, thermal insulation, and porosity, which are important in packaging, in building construction, and in biomedical applications, respectively. The first foams with practical applications used polymeric materials of petrochemical origin. However, due to growing environmental concerns, considerable efforts have been made to replace some of these materials with biodegradable polymers. Foam processing has evolved greatly in recent years due to improvements in existing techniques, such as the use of supercritical fluids in extrusion foaming and foam injection moulding, as well as the advent or adaptation of existing techniques to produce foams, as in the case of the combination between additive manufacturing and foam technology. The use of supercritical CO2 is especially advantageous in the production of porous structures for biomedical applications, as CO2 is chemically inert and non-toxic; in addition, it allows for an easy tailoring of the pore structure through processing conditions. Biodegradable polymeric materials, despite their enormous advantages over petroleum-based materials, present some difficulties regarding their potential use in foaming, such as poor melt strength, slow crystallization rate, poor processability, low service temperature, low toughness, and high brittleness, which limits their field of application. Several strategies were developed to improve the melt strength, including the change in monomer composition and the use of chemical modifiers and chain extenders to extend the chain length or create a branched molecular structure, to increase the molecular weight and the viscosity of the polymer. The use of additives or fillers is also commonly used, as fillers can improve crystallization kinetics by acting as crystal-nucleating agents. Alternatively, biodegradable polymers can be blended with other biodegradable polymers to combine certain properties and to counteract certain limitations. This work therefore aims to provide the latest advances regarding the foaming of biodegradable polymers. It covers the main foaming techniques and their advances and reviews the uses of biodegradable polymers in foaming, focusing on the chemical changes of polymers that improve their foaming ability. Finally, the challenges as well as the main opportunities presented reinforce the market potential of the biodegradable polymer foam materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis F. F. F. Gonçalves
- 3B’s Research Group, I3Bs–Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal;
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rui L. Reis
- 3B’s Research Group, I3Bs–Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal;
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Emanuel M. Fernandes
- 3B’s Research Group, I3Bs–Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal;
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal
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3
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Chai K, Xu Z, Chen D, Liu Y, Fang Y, Song Y. Effect of nano
TiO
2
on the cellular structure and mechanical properties of wood flour/polypropylene composite foams via mold‐opening foam injection molding. J Appl Polym Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/app.52603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kun Chai
- Engineering Research Center of Advanced Wooden Materials (Ministry of Education) Northeast Forestry University Harbin China
| | - Zesheng Xu
- Engineering Research Center of Advanced Wooden Materials (Ministry of Education) Northeast Forestry University Harbin China
| | - Dong Chen
- Engineering Research Center of Advanced Wooden Materials (Ministry of Education) Northeast Forestry University Harbin China
| | - Yingtao Liu
- Engineering Research Center of Advanced Wooden Materials (Ministry of Education) Northeast Forestry University Harbin China
| | - Yiqun Fang
- Engineering Research Center of Advanced Wooden Materials (Ministry of Education) Northeast Forestry University Harbin China
| | - Yongming Song
- Engineering Research Center of Advanced Wooden Materials (Ministry of Education) Northeast Forestry University Harbin China
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Villamil Jiménez JA, Le Moigne N, Bénézet JC, Sauceau M, Sescousse R, Fages J. Foaming of PLA Composites by Supercritical Fluid-Assisted Processes: A Review. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25153408. [PMID: 32731388 PMCID: PMC7436275 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25153408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Polylactic acid (PLA) is a well-known and commercially available biopolymer that can be produced from different sources. Its different characteristics generated a great deal of interest in various industrial fields. Besides, its use as a polymer matrix for foam production has increased in recent years. With the rise of technologies that seek to reduce the negative environmental impact of processes, chemical foaming agents are being substituted by physical agents, primarily supercritical fluids (SCFs). Currently, the mass production of low-density PLA foams with a uniform cell morphology using SCFs as blowing agents is a challenge. This is mainly due to the low melt strength of PLA and its slow crystallization kinetics. Among the different options to improve the PLA characteristics, compounding it with different types of fillers has great potential. This strategy does not only have foaming advantages, but can also improve the performances of the final composites, regardless of the implemented foaming process, i.e., batch, injection molding, and extrusion. In addition, the operating conditions and the characteristics of the fillers, such as their size, shape factor, and surface chemistry, play an important role in the final foam morphology. This article proposes a critical review on the different SCF-assisted processes and effects of operating conditions and fillers on foaming of PLA composites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Andrea Villamil Jiménez
- Polymers Composites and Hybrids (PCH), IMT Mines Ales, 30100 Ales, France; (J.A.V.J.); (J.-C.B.)
- Centre RAPSODEE, IMT Mines Albi, CNRS, Université de Toulouse, 81013 Albi, France; (M.S.); (R.S.)
| | - Nicolas Le Moigne
- Polymers Composites and Hybrids (PCH), IMT Mines Ales, 30100 Ales, France; (J.A.V.J.); (J.-C.B.)
- Correspondence: (N.L.M.); (J.F.)
| | - Jean-Charles Bénézet
- Polymers Composites and Hybrids (PCH), IMT Mines Ales, 30100 Ales, France; (J.A.V.J.); (J.-C.B.)
| | - Martial Sauceau
- Centre RAPSODEE, IMT Mines Albi, CNRS, Université de Toulouse, 81013 Albi, France; (M.S.); (R.S.)
| | - Romain Sescousse
- Centre RAPSODEE, IMT Mines Albi, CNRS, Université de Toulouse, 81013 Albi, France; (M.S.); (R.S.)
| | - Jacques Fages
- Centre RAPSODEE, IMT Mines Albi, CNRS, Université de Toulouse, 81013 Albi, France; (M.S.); (R.S.)
- Correspondence: (N.L.M.); (J.F.)
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Zong Q, Xu A, Chai K, Zhang Y, Song Y. Increased expansion ratio, cell density, and compression strength of microcellular poly(lactic acid) foams via lignin graft poly(lactic acid) as a biobased nucleating agent. POLYM ADVAN TECHNOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/pat.4944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Qiling Zong
- Key Laboratory of Bio‐based Material Science and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Material Science and EngineeringNortheast Forestry University Harbin P. R. China
| | - Ailing Xu
- Key Laboratory of Bio‐based Material Science and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Material Science and EngineeringNortheast Forestry University Harbin P. R. China
| | - Kun Chai
- Key Laboratory of Bio‐based Material Science and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Material Science and EngineeringNortheast Forestry University Harbin P. R. China
| | - Yanhua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bio‐based Material Science and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Material Science and EngineeringNortheast Forestry University Harbin P. R. China
| | - Yongming Song
- Key Laboratory of Bio‐based Material Science and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Material Science and EngineeringNortheast Forestry University Harbin P. R. China
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Ni J, Yu K, Zhou H, Mi J, Chen S, Wang X. Morphological evolution of PLA foam from microcellular to nanocellular induced by cold crystallization assisted by supercritical CO2. J Supercrit Fluids 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.supflu.2019.104719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Zhao X, Tekinalp H, Meng X, Ker D, Benson B, Pu Y, Ragauskas AJ, Wang Y, Li K, Webb E, Gardner DJ, Anderson J, Ozcan S. Poplar as Biofiber Reinforcement in Composites for Large-Scale 3D Printing. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2019; 2:4557-4570. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.9b00675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xianhui Zhao
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Halil Tekinalp
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
- Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Xianzhi Meng
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Darby Ker
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Bowie Benson
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Yunqiao Pu
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Arthur J. Ragauskas
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Yu Wang
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Kai Li
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Erin Webb
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Douglas J. Gardner
- Advanced Structures and Composites Center, University of Maine, 35 Flagstaff Road, Orono, Maine 04469, United States
| | - James Anderson
- Advanced Structures and Composites Center, University of Maine, 35 Flagstaff Road, Orono, Maine 04469, United States
| | - Soydan Ozcan
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
- Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
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Standau T, Zhao C, Murillo Castellón S, Bonten C, Altstädt V. Chemical Modification and Foam Processing of Polylactide (PLA). Polymers (Basel) 2019; 11:E306. [PMID: 30960290 PMCID: PMC6419231 DOI: 10.3390/polym11020306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Polylactide (PLA) is known as one of the most promising biopolymers as it is derived from renewable feedstock and can be biodegraded. During the last two decades, it moved more and more into the focus of scientific research and industrial use. It is even considered as a suitable replacement for standard petroleum-based polymers, such as polystyrene (PS), which can be found in a wide range of applications-amongst others in foams for packaging and insulation applications-but cause strong environmental issues. PLA has comparable mechanical properties to PS. However, the lack of melt strength is often referred to as a drawback for most foaming processes. One way to overcome this issue is the incorporation of chemical modifiers which can induce chain extension, branching, or cross-linking. As such, a wide variety of substances were studied in the literature. This work should give an overview of the most commonly used chemical modifiers and their effects on rheological, thermal, and foaming behavior. Therefore, this review article summarizes the research conducted on neat and chemically modified PLA foamed with the conventional foaming methods (i.e., batch foaming, foam extrusion, foam injection molding, and bead foaming).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Standau
- Depatment of Polymer Engineering, University Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany.
| | - Chunjing Zhao
- Depatment of Polymer Engineering, University Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany.
| | - Svenja Murillo Castellón
- Institut für Kunststofftechnik, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 32, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Christian Bonten
- Institut für Kunststofftechnik, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 32, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Volker Altstädt
- Depatment of Polymer Engineering, University Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany.
- Bavarian Polymer Institute and Bayreuth Institute of Macromolecular Research, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany.
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Song Y, Wang Y, Li H, Zong Q, Xu A. Role of Wood Fibers in Tuning Dynamic Rheology, Non-Isothermal Crystallization, and Microcellular Structure of Polypropylene Foams. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2018; 12:E106. [PMID: 30598010 PMCID: PMC6337148 DOI: 10.3390/ma12010106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Microcellular polypropylene (PP)/wood fiber composite foams were fabricated via batch foaming assisted by supercritical CO₂ (scCO₂). Effects of wood fibers on rheology, crystallization, and foaming behaviors of PP were comprehensively investigated. The obtained results showed that the incorporation of wood fibers increased the complex viscosity and the storage modulus of the PP matrix. Jeziorny's model for non-isothermal crystallization kinetics indicated that wood fibers did not change the crystal growth. However, the crystallization rate of the PP matrix was decreased to a certain extent with increasing wood fiber loadings. The wood fiber exerts a noticeable role in improving the cell density and reducing the cell size, despite decreasing the expansion ratio. Interestingly, a "small-sized cells to large-sized cells" gradient cell structure was found around the wood fibers, implying cell nucleation was induced at the interface between wood fiber and PP matrix. When wood fiber loadings were specifically increased, a desirable microcellular structure was obtained. However, further increasing the wood fiber loadings deteriorated the cell structure. Moreover, the crystallinity of the composite foams initially decreased and then slightly increased with increasing wood fiber loadings, while the crystal size decreased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongming Song
- Key Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science and Technology (Ministry of Education), Material Science and Engineering College, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China.
| | - Youyong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science and Technology (Ministry of Education), Material Science and Engineering College, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China.
| | - Hao Li
- Key Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science and Technology (Ministry of Education), Material Science and Engineering College, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China.
| | - Qiling Zong
- Key Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science and Technology (Ministry of Education), Material Science and Engineering College, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China.
| | - Ailing Xu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science and Technology (Ministry of Education), Material Science and Engineering College, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China.
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