Ponusa Songtipya^1,2,*, Thummanoon Prodpran^1,2, Ladawan Songtipya^1,2, Theerarat Sengsuk¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.5, pp. 951-967, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.049068 - 17 July 2024

Abstract The synergistic effect of organoclay (OC) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles on the crucial properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanocomposite films was systematically investigated herein. After their incorporation into PLA via the solvent casting technique, the water vapor barrier property of the PLA/OC/ZnO film improved by a maximum of 86% compared to the neat PLA film without the deterioration of Young’s modulus or the tensile strength. Moreover, the film’s self-antibacterial activity against foodborne pathogens, including gram-negative (Escherichia coli, E. coli) and gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, S. aureus) bacteria, was enhanced by a maximum of approximately 98–99% compared to the neat… More > Graphic Abstract

Yodthong Baimark^*, Theeraphol Phromsopha

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.4, pp. 1881-1894, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.025400 - 01 December 2022

Abstract A poly(L-lactide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-lactide)(PLLA-PEG-PLLA) block copolymer has great potential for use as a flexible bioplastic. Highly flexible bioplastics are required for flexible packaging applications. In this work, a PEG was incorporated into block copolymer as a plasticizer by solvent casting. PLLA-PEG-PLLA/ PEG blends with different blend ratios were prepared, and the plasticizing effect and miscibility of PEG in block copolymer were intensively investigated compared to PLLA/PEG blends. The results indicated that the PEG was an effective plasticizer for the block copolymer. The blending of PEG decreased glass-transition temperature and accelerated the crystallization of both the PLLA More > Graphic Abstract

Wenwen Guo^1,2,3, Wei Cai³, Dong Wang¹, Junling Wang⁴, Xiefei Zhu^5,*, Bin Fei^2,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.7, pp. 1875-1888, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.018823 - 07 March 2022

Abstract Fabrication of flame retardants from renewable biomass has aroused extensive interest over the past decade. This work reported a synthesis of isosorbide-derived polyphosphonate (PICPP) as an anti-flammable agent for poly (lactic acid) (PLA). The presence of PICPP notably declined the storage modulus of PLA/PICPP owing to the declined molecular weight of PLA catalyzed by the presence of PICPP. PLA and PLA/PICPP thermally degraded in one stage under either air or nitrogen atmosphere. With increasing the amount of PICPP, the onset thermal decomposition temperature of PLA/PICPP was decreased gradually, owing to the earlier decomposition of PICPP. More >

Paula do Patrocínio Dias, Marcelo Aparecido Chinelatto^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.7, No.2, pp. 129-138, 2019, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2019.00037

Abstract In this study a low molecular weight triblock copolymer derived from ε-caprolactone and tetrahydrofuran was used as a non-reactive compatibilizer of immiscible PLA/PCL blends. Ternary blends with 0, 1.5 wt%, 3 wt% and 5 wt% copolymer and about 75 wt% PLA were prepared by single screw extrusion and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), tensile and Izod impact testing. SEM micrographs showed that the size of the dispersed PCL domains was practically constant regardless of copolymer concentration. This result can be explained by the low shear rate More >

Phornwalan Nanthananon¹, Manus Seadan², Sommai Pivsa-Art³, Hiroyuki Hamada⁴, Supakij Suttiruengwong^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.6, pp. 573-583, 2018, DOI:10.32604/JRM.2018.00129

Abstract Poor interfacial adhesion between biobased thermoplastics and natural fibers is recognized as a major drawback for biocomposites. To be applicable for the large-scale production, a simple method to handle is of importance. This work presented poly(lactic acid) (PLA) reinforced with short-fiber and three reactive agents including anhydride and epoxide groups were selected as compatibilizers. Biocomposites were prepared by one-step melt-mixing methods. The influence of reactive agents on mechanical, dynamic mechanical properties and morphology of PLA biocomposites were investigated. Tensile strength and storage modulus of PLA biocomposites incorporated with epoxide-based reactive agent was increased 13.9% and More >

Ragab E. Abou-Zeid^1*, Mohamed A. Diab¹, Salah A. A. Mohamed², Ahmed Salama¹, Hind Abdullah Aljohani³, Kamel Rizq Shoueir⁴

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.4, pp. 394-401, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634156

Abstract The current article addresses a new strategy for the preparation of polylactic acid/cellulose nanocrystal (PLA/CNCs) nanobiocomposite films with improved structural morphology, mechanical and barrier properties for food packaging applications. The addition of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) as cationic and anionic surfactants respectively, was found to play a crucial role in preventing re-aggregation of the CNCs during drying and improving the dispersion of CNCs in the PLA. The coated paper was characterized using mechanical tests, water vapor permeability (WVP), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and air permeability. The results showed More >

Mfiso Emmanuel Mngomezulu¹, Adriaan Stephanus Luyt², Steve Anthony Chapple³, Maya Jacob John^3,4*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.1, pp. 26-37, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634140

Abstract This work reports on the effect of commercial expandable graphite (EG) on the flammability and thermal decomposition properties of PLA-starch blend. The PLA-starch/EG composites were prepared by melt-mixing and their thermal stability, volatile pyrolysis products and flammability characteristics were investigated. The char residues of the composites, after combustion in a cone calorimeter, were analyzed with environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). The thermal decomposition stability of the composites improved in the presence of EG. However, the char content was less than expected as per the combination of the wt% EG added into PLA-starch and the %… More >

Michael R. Snowdon^1,2, Amar K. Mohanty^1,2, Manjusri Misra^1,2*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.5, Suppl.1, pp. 94-105, 2017, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634134

Abstract This article assesses the performance of a biobased carbon as a nucleator using common techniques to stimulate poly(lactic acid) crystallization and enhance the thermal stability of PLA during injection molding. The combination of a biodegradable plasticizer, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), along with biobased carbon-rich pyrolyzed biomass char residue and an industrially available microcrystalline talc, were tested for nucleating agent capabilities at additions of 10 wt%. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) data demonstrated that the inclusion of the plasticizer could increase the PLA crystalline content with further improvements when nucleating agent was present. With a higher mold temperature, More >

Weijun Yang^1†, Xiaomin Zhao^2†, Elena Fortunati¹, Franco Dominici¹, Jose M. Kenny¹, Debora Puglia^1*, De-Yi Wang^2*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.5, No.5, pp. 423-434, 2017, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634146

Abstract Presented herein is a deep investigation of the fire, mechanical and thermal performances of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-based nanocomposites, which were obtained by combining cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) with various contents of N,N’-diallyl-phenylphosphoricdiamide (P-AA) via a two-steps masterbatch melt extrusion process (glycidyl methacrylate grafting on PLA and CNC premixing with PLA). Results have shown that the value of the limiting oxygen index (LOI) increased to 28.8% and a V-0 rating in UL94 test was obtained when 2 wt% of P-AA was added in the presence of cellulose nanocrystals (3 wt%). The incorporation of CNC induced a decrease More >

Liqing Wei¹, Shupin Luo², Armando G. McDonald², Umesh P. Agarwal¹, Kolby C. Hirth¹, Laurent M. Matuana³, Ronald C. Sabo^1* , Nicole M. Stark^1*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.5, No.5, pp. 410-422, 2017, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634144

Abstract Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are renewable and sustainable filler for polymeric nanocomposites. However, their high hydrophilicity limits their use with hydrophobic polymer for composite materials. In this study, freeze-dried CNCs were modified by transesterification with canola oil fatty acid methyl ester to reduce the hydrophilicity. The transesterified CNCs (CNCFE) were compounded with PLA into nanocomposites. CNCFE with long-chain hydrocarbons plays a role as plasticizer. Increasing CNCFE loadings resulted in clear plasticizing effects. Lower Tg and Tm were achieved for CNCFE-based nanocomposites. Plasticizing nanocomposite melt with CNCFE can mitigate the degradation of CNCs during thermal processing. The More >