Influence of chitosan protonation degree in nanofibrillated cellulose/chitosan composite films and their morphological, mechanical, and surface properties.

Composite films of nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) and chitosan (CS) were prepared by spray deposition method, and the influence of polymers ratio and protonation degree (α) of chitosan was evaluated. Films were characterized using morphological, mechanical, and surface techniques. Higher NFC content increased Young's modulus of film composites and reduced air permeability, while higher CS content increased water contact angle.

Recent developments in short- and medium-chain- length Polyhydroxyalkanoates: Production, properties, and applications.

Developing renewable resource-based plastics with complete biodegradability and a minimal carbon footprint can open new opportunities to effectively manage the end-of-life plastics waste and achieve a low carbon society. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biobased and biodegradable thermoplastic polyesters that accumulate in microorganisms (e.g.

In Situ Cellulose Nanocrystal-Reinforced Glycerol-Based Biopolyester for Enhancing Poly(lactic acid) Biocomposites.

Biobased, elastomeric polymer poly(glycerol succinate--maleate) (PGSMA) was produced using a "green" synthesis with added cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) to create a novel PGSMA-CNC material. PGSMA-CNC was synthesized with the aim of developing a new strategy for successfully dispersing CNCs within a poly(lactic acid) (PLA) matrix for optimal reinforcement of tensile strength and modulus while having the added benefit of the proven toughness enhancements of PLA/PGSMA blends. Optical microscopy and fractionation in tetrahydrofuran showed that CNCs agglomerated during PGSMA-CNC synthesis and remained in agglomerates during PLA/PGSMA-CNC reactive blending.

Synthesis of Glycerol-Based Biopolyesters as Toughness Enhancers for Polylactic Acid Bioplastic through Reactive Extrusion.

The synthesis of polyesters based on glycerol, succinic acid [poly(glycerol succinate), PGS] and/or maleic anhydride [poly(glycerol succinate--maleate), PGSMA] was investigated aiming to produce a green product suitable for toughening of polylactic acid (PLA) using melt blending technologies. The molar ratio of reactants and the synthesis temperature were screened to find optimum synthesis conditions leading to the highest toughness enhancement of PLA. It was found that a molar ratio of reactants of 1:1 glycerol/succinic acid increases the effectiveness of PGS as a toughening agent for PLA, which correlates with the achievement of a higher molecular weight on the synthesis of PGS.