M.R., Nurul Fazita and Jayaraman, Krishnan and Bhattacharyya, Debes and Hossain, Md. Sohrab and M.K., Mohamad Haafiz and H.P.S., Abdul Khalil
(2015)
Disposal Options of Bamboo Fabric-Reinforced Poly(Lactic)
Acid Composites for Sustainable Packaging: Biodegradability
and Recyclability.
Polymers, 7 (8).
pp. 1476-1496.
ISSN 2073-4360
Abstract
The present study was conducted to determine the recyclability and
biodegradability of bamboo fabric-reinforced poly(lactic) acid (BF-PLA) composites for
sustainable packaging. BF-PLA composite was recycled through the granulation, extrusion,
pelletization and injection processes. Subsequently, mechanical properties (tensile, flexural
and impact strength), thermal stability and the morphological appearance of recycled
BF-PLA composites were determined and compared to BF-PLA composite (initial materials)
and virgin PLA. It was observed that the BF-PLA composites had the adequate mechanical
rigidity and thermal stability to be recycled and reused. Moreover, the biodegradability
of BF-PLA composite was evaluated in controlled and real composting conditions, and
the rate of biodegradability of BF-PLA composites was compared to the virgin PLA.
Morphological and thermal characteristics of the biodegradable BF-PLA and virgin PLA
were obtained by using environment scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and differential
scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively. The first order decay rate was found to be 0.0278 and 0.0151 day�1 in a controlled composting condition and 0.0008 and 0.0009 day�1 in real composting conditions for virgin PLA and BF-PLA composite, respectively. Results
indicate that the reinforcement of bamboo fabric in PLA matrix minimizes the degradation
rate of BF-PLA composite. Thus, BF-PLA composite has the potential to be used in product
packaging for providing sustainable packaging.
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