Green composites based on Atriplex halimus fibers and PLA matrix

Hayet Latifa Boudjema; Hayet Bendaikha; Ulrich Maschke

doi:10.1515/polyeng-2020-0068

Article

Green composites based on Atriplex halimus fibers and PLA matrix

Hayet Latifa Boudjema , Hayet Bendaikha and Ulrich Maschke

Published/Copyright: August 19, 2020

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From the journal Journal of Polymer Engineering Volume 40 Issue 8

Abstract

This work focuses on the potential use of cellulose fibers extracted from Mediterranean saltbush (Atriplex halimus) as a filler in the polymeric matrix. The fully biodegradable composites were prepared from polylactic acid (PLA) as matrix and microcellulose fibers ranging from 0 to 15 wt.%. The influence of the fiber content on the structure, mechanical, thermal, and water absorption properties was evaluated. Mechanical results indicated that fibers acted effectively as reinforcement, increasing the tensile strength and the Young’s modulus of PLA by 25 and 45%, respectively. This is due to the good stress transfer between fibers and matrix through the strong interactions that have been evidenced by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The thermogravimetric analysis showed that PLA composites have a slightly lower degradation temperature than the pure PLA, but they still have favorable thermal stability. Water absorption measurements and biodegradability tests showed that the addition of fibers accelerates degradation kinetics and confirm that the prepared composites are an environmentally safe material suited for different applications.

Keywords: biodegradability; cellulose fibers; mechanical properties; PLA polymer; thermal properties

Corresponding author: Hayet Latifa Boudjema, Université des Sciences et de la Technologie d’Oran—Mohamed Boudiaf, El Mnaouar, BP 1505, Bir El Djir, 31000Oran, Algeria; and Département de Sécurité Industrielle et Environnement, Laboratoire d’Ingénierie de la Sécurité Industrielle et du Développement Durable, Institut de Maintenance et de Sécurité Industrielle, Université d’Oran 2 Mohamed Ben Ahmed, Bir El Djir, 31000Oran, Algeria, E-mail: hayet.hayouta1331@gmail.com

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the UMET Laboratory of the University Lille 1 (France) for providing the necessary materials and for technical support.

Author contribution: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.
Research funding: No funding.
Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding this article.

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Received: 2020-04-02

Accepted: 2020-07-02

Published Online: 2020-08-19

Published in Print: 2020-09-25

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/polyeng-2020-0068

Keywords for this article

biodegradability; cellulose fibers; mechanical properties; PLA polymer; thermal properties