Polyethylene/Polyhydroxyalkanoates-based Biocomposites and Bionanocomposites

The development of advanced polymer composite materials having superior mechanical properties has opened up new horizons in the field of science and engineering. Polyethylene (PE) is considered one of the most widely used thermoplastics in the world due to its excellent properties which have excellent chemical inertness, low coefficient of friction, toughness, near-zero moisture absorption, ease of processing and electrical properties. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are garnering increasing attention in the biodegradable polymer market because of their promising properties such as high biodegradability in different environments. This chapter covers polyethylene/polyhydroxyalkanoates-based biocomposites and bionanocomposites. It summarizes many of the recent research accomplishments in the area of PE/PHAs-based biocomposites and bionanocomposites such as state-of-the-art regarding different methods of their preparation. Also discussed are different characterization techniques and use of PE/PHAs-based biocomposites and bionanocomposites in biomedical, packaging, structural, military, coating, fire retardant, aerospace and optical applications, along with recycling and lifetime studies

Biocomposites based on plasticized starch

The potential of biodegradable polymers, and more particularly that of polymers obtained from agro resources, such as polysaccharides like starch, has long been recognized. This paper examines the effects of sustainable materials based on starch on the macro or nanostructure and subsequent processing, thermomechanical properties and performance properties of plasticized starch polymers. This examination includes a detailed review of the complexity of starch polymers, recent advances in novel starch modifications and compounds, and a detailed examination of the effects of plasticized starch macro-biocomposites and nano-biocomposites. Specific structures and subsequent properties are controlled by many specific factors, such as filler shape, size and surface chemistry, processing conditions and environmental aging. In the case of nano-biocomposites, it is evident that nanomaterials polymer matrix interfacial interactions are extremely important to the final nanostructures and performance of these materials. (C) 2009 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Lt

Polyamide 6-Cellulose Composites: Effect of Cellulose Composition on Melt Rheology and Crystallization Behavior

Melt rheology and crystallization behavior of polyamide 6 (PA 6) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) composites were systematically studied in this research. The incorporation of MCC into the PA 6 matrix resulted in higher complex viscosities (|{*}|), storage modulus (G), and shear viscosities than those of neat PA 6, especially at low frequencies. The orientation of rigid molecular chains in the composites introduced by the addition of MCC induced a strong shear thinning behavior with an increase in MCC loading. The non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of PA 6 and MCC composites were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. The Avrami and Tobin model were applied to describe the process of non-isothermal crystallization and to determine the crystallization parameters of the composites. Analysis of the crystallization kinetics indicated that the Avrami (n(a)) and Tobin exponent (n(t)) was altered by the MCC. It was also found that the Avrami and Tobin equations fit the empirical data well. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:739-746, 2014. (c) 2013 Society of Plastics Engineer