Editorial corner - a personal view Producing green composites via polymer blending

• Published in: Express polymer letters Vol. 15; no. 10; pp. 910 - 911
• Main Authors: Ishak, Z A Mohd, Thirmizir, M Z Ahmad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Budapest Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Polymer Engineering 01.10.2021
• Subjects: Biopolymers; Copolymers; Esterification; Fibers; Functional groups; Melt blending; Miscibility; Polycaprolactone; Polyhydroxybutyrate; Polylactic acid; Polymer blends; Polymer matrix composites; Polymers; Renewable resources; Stiffness; Synthetic fibers
• ISSN: 1788-618X
• DOI: 10.3144/expresspolymlett.2021.73

While natural fibers are lowcost and environmentally superior alternative to synthetic fibers, biopolymers that are derived from renewable resources such as polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polylactide acid (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL), poly(butylene adipate terephthalate) (PBAT) and biobased poly(butylene succinate) (Bio-PBS) and their copolymers are promising eco-friendly alternatives for the petroleum-based polymers. [...]blending of PHB with other biopolymers such as PCL, PBS and PBAT could provide a viable solution provided some issues such as blend component miscibility and compatibility, natural fiber distribution/dispersion, fiber-blend matrix interfacial adhesion could be resolved. [...]in the case of biopolymer blend matrix the anhydride functional group of the compatibilizer could also interact with the hydroxyl end groups of the guest polymer via esterification reaction during the melt blending process (https://doi.org/ 10.1002/vnl.21828). [...]remarkable enhancement in stiffness, strength, and toughness could be expected, which may not be observed in the blends in the absence of natural fibers.