6 research outputs found
Utilization of Renewable Biomass and Waste Materials for Production of Environmentally-Friendly, Bio-based Composites
The introduction of renewable biomass into a polymer matrix is an option competing with other
possibilities, such as energy recovery and/or re-use in the carbonized state, or production of
chemicals, such as, in the case of ligno-cellulosic waste, concentrates on the production of simple
sugars, then possibly leading to the development of biopolymers. These competitive applications
have also some interest and market, however with a considerable energy, water and materials
consumption, due also to the not always high yielding. Other possibilities for renewable biomass are
therefore being used as fillers to increase mechanical performance of polymers or to allow e.g., the
absorption of toxic chemicals. This review concentrates on the use of biomass as close as possible
to the “as received” state, therefore avoiding whenever suitable any thermal treatment. More
specifically, it focuses on its introduction into the three categories of oil-based (or bio-based
replacement) of engineered polymers, into industrial biopolymers, such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA)
and self-developed biopolymers, such as thermoplastic starch (TPS)