INVESTIGADORES
FORESTI Maria Laura
artículos
Título:
Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus) fibre based PLA composites: mechanical behaviour and biodegradation
Autor/es:
E. FORTUNATI; D. PUGLIA; M. MONTI; C. SANTULLI; M. MANIRUZZAMAN; M.L. FORESTI; A. VAZQUEZ; J. KENNY
Revista:
JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Editorial:
SPRINGER/PLENUM PUBLISHERS
Referencias:
Lugar: New York; Año: 2013 vol. 21 p. 726 - 737
ISSN:
1566-2543
Resumen:
Okra (Lady?s finger, Abelmoschus esculentus)
fibres were introduced in a poly(lactic) acid (PLA) polymer
matrix as short fibres (5?10 mm), in amounts variable
between 10 and 30 %wt. For this purpose, both untreated and
alkali treated okra fibres were used. The obtained composites,
in view of the envisaged application for sustainable
packaging purposes, has been tested morphologically,
mechanically and subjected to chemical characterisation,
while the biodegradation profile has been studied. The
introduction of fibres in the polymer matrix always resulted
in a higher stiffness of the obtained composite. The addition
of okra fibre to PLA results in an increased ability of the PLA
matrix to crystallize due to the nucleation effect of the okra
fibre, and this effect was more evident in the composites
produced with alkali treated fibres. The biodegradation
process was accelerated by the addition of higher contents
of fibres into the composites due to preferential degradation
of the fibres themselves: this effect was increased when
composite fibres are alkali-treated.
Abelmoschus esculentus)
fibres were introduced in a poly(lactic) acid (PLA) polymer
matrix as short fibres (5?10 mm), in amounts variable
between 10 and 30 %wt. For this purpose, both untreated and
alkali treated okra fibres were used. The obtained composites,
in view of the envisaged application for sustainable
packaging purposes, has been tested morphologically,
mechanically and subjected to chemical characterisation,
while the biodegradation profile has been studied. The
introduction of fibres in the polymer matrix always resulted
in a higher stiffness of the obtained composite. The addition
of okra fibre to PLA results in an increased ability of the PLA
matrix to crystallize due to the nucleation effect of the okra
fibre, and this effect was more evident in the composites
produced with alkali treated fibres. The biodegradation
process was accelerated by the addition of higher contents
of fibres into the composites due to preferential degradation
of the fibres themselves: this effect was increased when
composite fibres are alkali-treated.