Green Composites from Partially Bio-Based Poly(butylene succinate--adipate)-PBSA and Short Hemp Fibers with Itaconic Acid-Derived Compatibilizers and Plasticizers.

In this work, green composites have been developed and characterized using a bio-based polymeric matrix such as BioPBSA and the introduction of 30 wt.% short hemp fibers as a natural reinforcement to obtain materials with maximum environmental efficiency. In order to increase the interfacial adhesion between the matrix and the fiber to obtain better properties in the composites, a reactive extrusion process has been carried out.

Development and Characterization of High Environmentally Friendly Composites of Bio-Based Polyamide 1010 with Enhanced Fire Retardancy Properties by Expandable Graphite.

Bio-based polyamide 1010 was melt-compounded with different percentages (2.5 to 10.0 wt.

The Effect of Varying the Amount of Short Hemp Fibers on Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Wood-Plastic Composites from Biobased Polyethylene Processed by Injection Molding.

Biobased HDPE (bioHDPE) was melt-compounded with different percentages (2.5 to 40.0 wt.

Development and Characterization of Environmentally Friendly Wood Plastic Composites from Biobased Polyethylene and Short Natural Fibers Processed by Injection Moulding.

Environmentally friendly wood plastic composites (WPC) with biobased high density polyethylene (BioHDPE) as the polymer matrix and hemp, flax and jute short fibers as natural reinforcements, were melt-compounded using twin-screw extrusion and shaped into pieces by injection molding. Polyethylene-graft-maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) was added at two parts per hundred resin to the WPC during the extrusion process in order to reduce the lack in compatibility between the lignocellulosic fibers and the non-polar polymer matrix. The results revealed a remarkable improvement of the mechanical properties with the combination of natural fibers, along with PE-g-MA, highly improved stiffness and mechanical properties of neat BioHDPE.

Upgrading Recycled Polypropylene from Textile Wastes in Wood Plastic Composites with Short Hemp Fiber.

This research reports the manufacturing and characterization of green composites made from recycled polypropylene obtained from the remnants of polypropylene non-woven fabrics used in the textile industry and further reinforced with short hemp fibers (SHFs). To improve the interaction of the reinforcing fibers with the recycled polymeric matrix, two types of compatibilizing agents (maleic anhydride grafted, PP-g-MA, and maleinized linseed oil, MLO) were added during melt-processing, the percentage of which had to remain constant concerning the amount of fiber loading to ensure complete reactivity. Standardized test specimens were obtained by injection molding.

Development and Characterization of Weft-Knitted Fabrics of Naturally Occurring Polymer Fibers for Sustainable and Functional Textiles.

This study focuses on the potential uses in textiles of fibers of soy protein (SP) and chitin, which are naturally occurring polymers that can be obtained from agricultural and food processing by-products and wastes. The as-received natural fibers were first subjected to a three-step manufacturing process to develop yarns that were, thereafter, converted into fabrics by weft knitting. Different characterizations in terms of physical properties and comfort parameters were carried out on the natural fibers and compared to waste derived fibers of coir and also conventional cotton and cotton-based fibers, which are widely used in the textile industry.

The Effect of Halloysite Nanotubes on the Fire Retardancy Properties of Partially Biobased Polyamide 610.

The main objective of the work reported here was the analysis and evaluation of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) as natural flame retardancy filler in partially biobased polyamide 610 (PA610), with 63% of carbon from natural sources. HNTs are naturally occurring clays with a nanotube-like shape. PA610 compounds containing 10%, 20%, and 30% HNT were obtained in a twin-screw co-rotating extruder.

Microencapsulation of Copper(II) Sulfate in Ionically Cross-Linked Chitosan by Spray Drying for the Development of Irreversible Moisture Indicators in Paper Packaging.

Copper(II) sulfate-loaded chitosan microparticles were herein prepared using ionic cross-linking with sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) followed by spray drying. The microencapsulation process was optimal using an inlet temperature of 180 °C, a liquid flow-rate of 290 mL/h, an aspiration rate of 90%, and an atomizing gas flow-rate of 667 nL/h. Chitosan particles containing copper(II) sulfate of approximately 4 µm with a shrunken-type morphology were efficiently attained and, thereafter, fixated on a paper substrate either via cross-linking with STPP or using a chitosan hydrogel.