We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Impact of microcrystalline cellulose extracted from walnut and apricots shells on the biodegradability of Poly (lactic acid)
Summary
Researchers extracted microcrystalline cellulose from walnut and apricot shells using alkaline treatments combined with hydrogen peroxide bleaching, then prepared composite films with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) at varying ratios and characterized them via FTIR, tensile testing, TGA, DSC, and SEM. The results demonstrated that incorporation of these agricultural waste-derived celluloses modified the biodegradability and thermomechanical properties of PLA composites.
In this work, various microcrystalline celluloses were extracted from apricots shells (AC) and walnut shells (WC) by alkaline treatments combined with hydrogen peroxide blanching. Different composites-based poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and microcrystalline cellulose PLA/AC and PLA/WC were successfully prepared by the cast-solution method with various PLA/AC and PLA/WC ratios. PLA and prepared composites were characterized by tensile test, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), melt flow index (MFI), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results showed an increase in Young’s modulus from 802.6 MPa (PLA) to 1412.9 MPa (10% AC) and to 1145,6 MPa (7% WC) in PLA composites. A decrease in degradation temperature was recorded with increasing microcrystalline cellulose percentage in PLA composites from 354°C (PLA) to 328°C (PLA/10% AC) and 339°C (PLA/10% WC). An enhancement in crystallinity rate was observed after incorporation of the microcrystalline cellulose from 30.42% (PLA) to 37.97% (PLA/7% WC) and 38.47% (PLA/10% AC). Furthermore, the biodegradation was evaluated by a soil burial test. A loss in composites weights of 38% (PLA/7% WC), 13% (PLA/7% AC) and 14% (PLA) was obtained after 12 months within soil burial test. Finally, the presence of MCC extracted from walnut shells in PLA matrix at 7% of content exhibited the best mechanical properties, crystalline structure and biodegradability rate.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Valorization of Cork Stoppers, Coffee-Grounds and Walnut Shells in the Development and Characterization of Pectin-Based Composite Films: Physical, Barrier, Antioxidant, Genotoxic, and Biodegradation Properties
Researchers developed biodegradable composite films using pectin combined with waste materials from cork stoppers, coffee grounds, and walnut shells as a sustainable alternative to plastic packaging. The films showed antioxidant properties, were non-genotoxic, and biodegraded effectively in both soil and seawater within weeks. The study demonstrates that food industry and agricultural waste can be repurposed into functional, environmentally friendly packaging materials.
Effect of Almond Skin Waste and Glycidyl Methacrylate on Mechanical and Color Properties of Poly(ε-caprolactone)/Poly(lactic acid) Blends
Researchers developed novel biodegradable biocomposite blends of poly(lactic acid) and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) incorporating 10 wt.% almond shell waste and 3 wt.% glycidyl methacrylate as a compatibilizer, evaluating mechanical and color properties across multiple blend ratios to improve performance of biodegradable packaging alternatives.
High-performance biodegradable poly(lactic acid) composites with xylan and lignin copolymer
Researchers developed high-performance biodegradable poly(lactic acid) composites by incorporating xylan and lignin derived from lignocellulosic biomass, improving PLA mechanical properties and addressing its brittleness limitations while maintaining biodegradability as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics.
Reed Fiber as a Sustainable Filler for Tuning the Biodegradability of Polylactic acid Composites
Researchers prepared reed fiber/polylactic acid (PLA/RF) composite films via melt blending and blow molding, finding that increasing reed fiber content tuned the biodegradation rate of PLA in the presence of proteinase K, with DSC, SEM, and FTIR analyses revealing changes in crystallization behavior and surface morphology during enzymatic degradation.
Investigations on Thermomechanical and Biodegradable Properties of Alkaline Hydrolysis Isolated Nano Hydroxyapatite Reinforced Polylactic Acid Composite Blown Films for sustainable Packaging
Researchers extracted nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HAp) from pink perch fish scales via alkaline hydrolysis and incorporated it at 0.25-1 wt.% into polylactic acid (PLA) blown films to develop sustainable packaging composites. Characterization via XRD, FTIR, Raman, TGA, SEM, and TEM showed that n-HAp improved the thermal, mechanical, and biodegradable properties of the PLA matrix.