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Enhancing the Mechanical Properties of Inherently Brittle, Biobased and Biodegradable Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) Polymer by Cotton Fibre Reinforcement and Interfacial Grafting
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This study developed biobased and biodegradable packaging films by modifying PLA and PBSA blends, achieving improved flexibility and toughness compared to brittle pure PLA, with the goal of replacing fossil-fuel-based packaging materials with compostable alternatives.
Abstract The accumulation of fossil‐fuel‐based plastic waste drives the need for sustainable packaging materials. Stricter regulations and consumer demand for eco‐friendly products have expanded the biodegradable plastics market. Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a microbial biopolymer, is biodegradable but inherently brittle. This study enhances PHB's strength and ductility by reinforcing it with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)‐coated cotton fibres and further improving interfacial bonding through maleic anhydride (MA) grafting. Compared to neat PHB, incorporating PVA‐coated cotton fibres increases tensile strength and failure strain by 290% and 109%, respectively. MA grafting further enhances toughness (ninefold increase) and interlaminar fracture toughness (twofold rise), while reducing helium permeation to 60%. These enhancements stem from PVA's hydrophilicity and MA‐induced hydrogen bonding, highlighting the potential of PVA‐coated cotton fibre/MA‐grafted PHB composites as sustainable materials for packaging and biomedical applications.
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Review on Development of Biodegradable Packaging Material
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Researchers reviewed the development of biodegradable packaging from starch films to bio-nanocomposites, examining how incorporating agricultural and textile waste fibers — cotton, jute, and hemp — improves mechanical strength and circularity as alternatives to petroleum-based plastic packaging.
PHB - Bio Based and Biodegradable Replacement for PP: A Review
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This review assessed polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a biologically produced and fully biodegradable polyester, as a sustainable replacement for polypropylene in food packaging, noting its similar properties and genuine biodegradability as key advantages over conventional plastics that persist as microplastics.
Biodegradation Studies of Polyhydroxybutyrate and Polyhydroxybutyrate-co-Polyhydroxyvalerate Films in Soil
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Researchers studied the biodegradation properties of two bioplastic polymers, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and polyhydroxybutyrate-co-polyhydroxyvalerate (PHBV), in soil under different moisture conditions. Both polymers degraded completely in fully saturated soil, with the study tracking changes in appearance, chemical signatures, mechanical properties, and molecular weight, supporting these materials as viable biodegradable alternatives to conventional petrochemical-derived plastics.
Effect of graphene oxide content on the mechanical, water absorption, and thermal properties of polyhydroxybutyrate nanocomposites
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Scientists mixed a plant-based plastic (PHB) with tiny amounts of graphene oxide to make a tougher, more eco-friendly alternative to regular plastic. The material got harder without becoming brittle, though it absorbed a bit more water. This matters because sturdier biodegradable plastics could help reduce our reliance on petroleum-based plastics, a major source of microplastic pollution.
In Situ Synthesis of Plasticized Bacterial Cellulose Films for Daily Packaging Using Biobased Plasticizers
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Researchers synthesized plasticized bacterial cellulose films in situ and characterized their mechanical, optical, and barrier properties for daily packaging applications, finding the bio-based materials offered competitive performance with lower environmental impact than petroleum-based alternatives.
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