Enhancing Sustainability in PLA Membrane Preparation through the Use of Biobased Solvents.

For the first time, ultrafiltration (UF) green membranes were prepared through a sustainable route by using PLA as a biopolymer and dihydrolevoclucosenone, whose trade name is Cyrene™ (Cyr), dimethyl isosorbide (DMI), and ethyl lactate (EL) as biobased solvents. The influence of physical-chemical properties of the solvent on the final membrane morphology and performance was evaluated. The variation of polymer concentration in the casting solution, as well as the presence of Pluronic (Plu) as a pore former agent, were assessed as well.

Toward Producing Biopolyethylene/Babassu Fiber Biocomposites with Improved Mechanical and Thermomechanical Properties.

The development of polymeric biocomposites containing natural fibers has grown over the years due to the properties achieved and its eco-friendly nature. Thus, biocomposites involving a polymer from a renewable source (Biopolyethylene (BioPE)) and babassu fibers (BFs), compatibilized with polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride (MA) and acrylic acid (AA) (PE-g-MA and PE-g-AA, respectively) were obtained using melt mixing and injection molded into tensile, impact, and HDT specimens. Babassu fiber was characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetry (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Tailoring PLA/ABS Blends Compatibilized with SEBS-g-MA through Annealing Heat Treatment.

In this work, blends based on poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) compatibilized with maleic anhydride-grafted (SEBS-g-MA) were prepared in a co-rotational twin-screw extruder by varying the concentrations of the compatibilizing agent. The influence of the compatibilizing agent on the morphology, mechanical, thermal, thermomechanical, and rheological properties of the prepared materials was analyzed. The effect of annealing on the properties of the blends was also investigated using injection-molded samples.

Properties of Biodegradable Films Based on Poly(butylene Succinate) (PBS) and Poly(butylene Adipate--Terephthalate) (PBAT) Blends .

Compression molded biodegradable films based on poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and poly(butylene adipate--terephthalate) (PBAT) at varying weights were prepared, and their relevant properties for packaging applications are here reported. The melt rheology of the blends was first studied, and the binary PBS/PBAT blends exhibited marked shear thinning and complex thermoreological behavior, due to the formation of a co-continuous morphology in the 50 wt% blend. The films were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), mechanical tensile tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and oxygen and water vapor permeability.