Journal
FIBERS AND POLYMERS
Volume 22, Issue 12, Pages 3437-3443Publisher
KOREAN FIBER SOC
DOI: 10.1007/s12221-021-1237-x
Keywords
Acetylated kenaf; Starch; Polyvinyl alcohol; Polyethylene glycol; Biodegradability
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Funding
- Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) - Ministry of Education [2016R1A6 A1A03013422, 2019R1I1A1A01061798]
- National Research Foundation of Korea [2019R1I1A1A01061798] Funding Source: Korea Institute of Science & Technology Information (KISTI), National Science & Technology Information Service (NTIS)
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Bio-composites were fabricated with kenaf and starch as filler and matrix, and PVA and PEG as plasticizers. Acetylation of kenaf improved surface adhesion and hydrophobicity, while starch enhanced biodegradability. Plasticizers had minimal effect on physical properties, but slightly improved thermal stability of acetylated kenaf composites. Moisture in soil increased biodegradability by 80%, showing potential for replacing synthetic polymers and mitigating environmental pollution.
Bio-composites containing kenaf and starch as the filler and matrix, respectively, and Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Polyethylene glycol (PEG) as plasticizers were fabricated. The acetylation of hydrophilic kenaf increased the hydrophobic matrix and surfactant bonding in the complex, and the starch matrix increased the biodegradability. The physical, thermal, and biodegradability properties of composites comprising acetylated kenaf and starch (S), acetylated kenaf, starch, and PVA (S+PVA), and acetylated kenaf, starch, and PEG (S+PEG) were evaluated. The results showed that the acetylation of kenaf caused its surface to swell, improving the interfacial adhesion between kenaf and starch in the composites, whereas PVA and PEG did not enhance the physical properties of the composites. The addition of plasticizers caused a slight improvement in the thermal fluidity and stability of the acetylated kenaf composites. In addition, the composites buried in soil showed higher biodegradability than those buried in compost. The presence of moisture in the soil also increased the biodegradability by 80 %. The results of this study demonstrate the high potential of the acetylated kenaf composites as an alternative to synthetic polymer products. Moreover, considering their biodegradable nature, these composites can be applied in treatments and techniques that are focused on the safe disposal of plastic waste for the mitigation of environmental pollution.
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