Protein-Intercalated Bentonite as Nano-Reinforcement in Bloodmeal-Based Bioplastics

Novatein Thermoplastic Protein (NTP) is a biopolymer produced by modifying bloodmeal to a thermoplastic material, but requires reinforcement to improve mechanical properties. Protein-intercalated calcium (CaBt) and sodium bentonite (NaBt) were investigated as nano-scale reinforcements in NTP. These...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of polymer materials Vol. 32; no. 4; p. 435
Main Authors Shamsuddin, Rashid M, Verbeeka, Casparus J R, Lay, Mark C
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Henderson Tech Science Press 01.10.2015
Subjects
Adsorption
Biopolymers
Clay
Fractures
Meat processing
Mechanical properties
Proteins
Sodium
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Summary:Novatein Thermoplastic Protein (NTP) is a biopolymer produced by modifying bloodmeal to a thermoplastic material, but requires reinforcement to improve mechanical properties. Protein-intercalated calcium (CaBt) and sodium bentonite (NaBt) were investigated as nano-scale reinforcements in NTP. These were prepared by recovering proteins from meat processing wastewater called stickwater, thereby reducing treatment cost and intercalating protein into clay layers in a single step. Using stickwater-modified NaBt improved the composite's tensile strength by 23% (at 0.5 parts per hundred bloodmeal, pph^sub BM^) and Young's modulus by 17% compared to standard NTP. Stickwater treatment greatly improved the compatibility of bentonite with NTP compared to gelatin-treated bentonite whose resulting composites only had similar or slightly improved mechanical properties. The improved mechanical properties are parallel with other improvements observed in thermal, crystallinity and filler distribution. Potential applications include plant pots and seedling trays for plant nursery and agricultural disposable tools such as weasand clips, nails and barbs.
ISSN:0973-8622
0976-3449