Open Access
ARTICLE
Cellulose Acetate Blends – Effect of Plasticizers on Properties and Biodegradability
Vu Thanh Phuong1,2, Steven Verstichel3, Patrizia Cinelli1,4, Irene Anguillesi1, Maria-Beatrice Coltelli1, Andrea Lazzeri1,*
1
University of Pisa, Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Via Diotisalvi 2, 56126, Pisa, Italy
2
Can Tho University, Department of Chemical Engineering, 3/2 Street, Can Tho City, Vietnam
3
OWS N.V., Dok Noord 5, 9000 Gent, Belgium
4
National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, Via G. Giusti 9, 50121, Florence, Italy
* Corresponding Author:
Journal of Renewable Materials 2014, 2(1), 35-41. https://doi.org/10.7569/JRM.2013.634136
Received 20 December 2013; Accepted 19 February 2014;
Abstract
Cellulose acetate (CDA) cannot be processed as raw material because it starts to decompose before
melting. Triacetin and diacetin were tested to improve CDA processing versus conventional phthalate as
environmentally sustainable plasticizers, because of their low toxicity and fast biodegradability. The addition
of triacetin and diacetin allowed melt processing of CDA and the results of tensile tests outlined their effect
as plasticizers. The values of mechanical properties were compatible with the requirements for applications
in rigid packaging. From the results of biodegradation tests it can be concluded that for pure cellulose
acetate, complete biodegradation was obtained within 200 days of testing after reinoculation. Incomplete
biodegradation was observed for test items with 20% triacetin or with 30% phthalate. After 46 days of
incubation, the test samples with 30% plasticizer based on triacetin or triacetin-diacetin were completely
biodegraded. These formulations can be selected for the production of compostable blends
and/or biocomposites.
Keywords
Cite This Article
APA Style
Phuong, V.T., Verstichel, S., Cinelli, P., Anguillesi, I., Coltelli, M. et al. (2014). Cellulose acetate blends – effect of plasticizers on properties and biodegradability. Journal of Renewable Materials, 2(1), 35-41. https://doi.org/10.7569/JRM.2013.634136
Vancouver Style
Phuong VT, Verstichel S, Cinelli P, Anguillesi I, Coltelli M, Lazzeri A. Cellulose acetate blends – effect of plasticizers on properties and biodegradability. J Renew Mater. 2014;2(1):35-41 https://doi.org/10.7569/JRM.2013.634136
IEEE Style
V.T. Phuong, S. Verstichel, P. Cinelli, I. Anguillesi, M. Coltelli, and A. Lazzeri "Cellulose Acetate Blends – Effect of Plasticizers on Properties and Biodegradability," J. Renew. Mater., vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 35-41. 2014. https://doi.org/10.7569/JRM.2013.634136