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A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 February 2023) | Viewed by 20109

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Laura Boggioni

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Guest Editor

Institute for Chemical Science and Technologies, CNR, V. Corti 12, 20133 Milano, Italy
Interests: synthesis of polymers; synthesis of bio-based building blocks; catalysis; structure-properties polymer relationship

Dr. Simona Losio

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Guest Editor

Institute of Chemical Science and Technologies “G. Natta”-C.N.R., Milan, Italy
Interests: Catalysis; polymers from renewable resources; polymer synthesis and characterization; Structure-properties polymer relationship
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Letizia Verdolotti

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Guest Editor

Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council of Italy (IPCB-CNR), Portici-Naples, Italy
Interests: Sustainable composite materials; Bio-based polyurethane foams; porous materials from renewable sources

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In view of moving towards a post-petroleum society, with the aim of protecting the environment and preserving its resources for future generations, research has to develop other processes to produce materials, starting from an eco-friendly and sustainable source. Moreover, the integration of better biomass producing and processing sectors to reconcile food security, natural resource scarcity and environmental objectives with the use of biomass for industrial and energy purposes is a highly current and revelant goal. Nowadays, extensive scientific and industrial research is concentrated on the development of advanced new materials and technologies for bio-based products. In addition, the high potential of nanofillers to replace glass fibres and lightweight benefits of natural nanofillers in combination with continuous development and improvement in their processing caused an obvious increase in the utilization of such sustainable materials.

The fundamental purpose of this special issue is therefore to collect the most advanced results concerning the synthesis of bio-based composites, as well as those with natural nanofiller polymer materials, with particular reference to the chemistry of the reactions involved and the relationships between the structure of functionalized products and the properties realized in terms of specific required application.

Dr. Laura Boggioni
Dr. Simona Losio
Dr. Letizia Verdolotti
Guest Editors

Keywords

Bio-based materials
Natural fillers
Structural characterization
Sustainable materials
Sustainable composite materials
Monomers from renewable resources
Structure–properties polymer relationship

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

31 pages, 13563 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Degradable Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)—The Basis of Slow-Release Fungicide Formulations for Suppressing Potato Pathogens

by Tatiana G. Volova, Evgeniy G. Kiselev, Sergey V. Baranovskiy, Natalia O. Zhila, Svetlana V. Prudnikova, Ekaterina I. Shishatskaya, Andrey P. Kuzmin, Ivan V. Nemtsev, Aleksander D. Vasiliev and Sabu Thomas

Polymers 2022, 14(17), 3669; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14173669 - 3 Sep 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2901

Abstract

Three-component slow-release fungicide formulations with different modes of action of the active ingredients for suppressing potato pathogens were constructed for the first time. The difenoconazole, mefenoxam, prothioconazole, and azoxystrobin fungicides were embedded in the degradable polymer P(3HB)/birch wood flour blend and examined using SEM, IR spectroscopy, X-ray analysis, DTA, and DSC. Results showed that no chemical bonds were established between the components and that they were physical mixtures that had a lower degree of crystallinity compared to the initial P(3HB), which suggested different crystallization kinetics in the mixtures. The degradation behavior of the experimental formulations was investigated in laboratory micro-ecosystems with pre-characterized field soil. The slow-release fungicide formulations were prolonged-action forms with a half-life of at least 50–60 d, enabling gradual and sustained delivery of the active ingredients to plants. All slow-release fungicide formulations had a strong inhibitory effect on the most common and harmful potato pathogens (Phytophthorainfestans, Alternarialongipes, Rhizoctoniasolani, and Fusariumsolani). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Polymer Materials and Natural Fillers)

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12 pages, 3333 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Toughening and Heat-Resistant Modification of Degradable PLA/PBS-Based Composites by Using Glass Fiber/Silicon Dioxide Hybrid Fillers

by Junchang Gao, Yadong Wu, Jun Li, Xuqiang Peng, Dewu Yin, Jichang Wang, Xiaohua Wang, Meijin Jin, Zengwen Yao, Xiaojun Shen, Shun Wang and Huile Jin

Polymers 2022, 14(16), 3237; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14163237 - 9 Aug 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3120

Abstract

In this paper, to enhance the toughness and heat resistance properties of polylactic acid (PLA)/polybutylene succinate (PBS) composites, the PLA/PBS matrix was modified by different glass fiber (GF), GF/SiO₂, and GF/(Polyaluminium chloride) PAC fillers. Additionally, the effect of filler type, filler content, components interaction and composite structure on the mechanical and thermal properties of the PLA/PBS composites was researched. The results showed that the addition of GF, GF/SiO₂ and GF/PAC make the PLA/PBS composites appear significantly higher mechanical properties compared with the pristine PLA/PBS composite. Among the different inorganic fillers, the 10%GF/1%SiO₂ fillers showed excellent strengthening, toughening and heat resistant effects. Compared with the pristine PLA/PBS matrix, the tensile strength, elastic modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus and Izod impact strength improved by 36.28%, 70.74%, 67.95%, 66.61% and 135.68%, respectively. Considering the above, when the weight loss rate was 50%, the thermal decomposition temperature of the 10%GF/1%SiO₂ modified PLA/PBS composites was the highest 412.83 °C and its Vicat softening point was up to 116.8 °C. In a word, the 10%GF/1%SiO₂ reinforced PLA/PBS composites exhibit excellent mechanical and thermal properties, which broadens the application of biodegradable materials in specific scenarios. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Polymer Materials and Natural Fillers)

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28 pages, 9996 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Bio-Composites with Enhanced Antioxidant Activity Based on Poly(lactic acid) with Thymol, Carvacrol, Limonene, or Cinnamaldehyde for Active Food Packaging

by Mohammad Nahid Siddiqui, Halim Hamid Redhwi, Ioannis Tsagkalias, Evangelia C. Vouvoudi and Dimitris S. Achilias

Polymers 2021, 13(21), 3652; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13213652 - 23 Oct 2021

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 4015

Abstract

The new trend in food packaging films is to use biodegradable or bio-based polymers, such as poly(lactic acid), PLA with additives such as thymol, carvacrol, limonene or cinnamaldehyde coming from natural resources (i.e., thyme, oregano, citrus fruits and cinnamon) in order to extent foodstuff shelf-life and improve consumers’ safety. Single, triple and quadruple blends of these active compounds in PLA were prepared and studied using the solvent-casting technique. The successful incorporation of the active ingredients into the polymer matrix was verified by FTIR spectroscopy. XRD and DSC data revealed that the crystallinity of PLA was not significantly affected. However, the Tg of the polymer decreased, verifying the plasticization effect of all additives. Multicomponent mixtures resulted in more intense plasticization. Cinnamaldehyde was found to play a catalytic role in the thermal degradation of PLA shifting curves to slightly lower temperatures. Release of thymol or carvacrol from the composites takes place at low rates at temperatures below 100 °C. A combined diffusion-model was found to simulate the experimental release profiles very well. Higher antioxidant activity was noticed when carvacrol was added, followed by thymol and then cinnamaldehyde and limonene. From the triple-component composites, higher antioxidant activity measured in the materials with thymol, carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Polymer Materials and Natural Fillers)

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14 pages, 4659 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Valorization of Sugarcane Straw for the Development of Sustainable Biopolymer-Based Composites

by Jorge R. Robledo-Ortíz, Alan S. Martín del Campo, Juan A. Blackaller, Martín E. González-López and Aida A. Pérez Fonseca

Polymers 2021, 13(19), 3335; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13193335 - 29 Sep 2021

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 4304

Abstract

Sugarcane straw (SCS) is a common agro-industrial waste that is usually incinerated or discarded in fields after harvesting, increasing the importance of developing added-value applications for this residue. In this study, sustainable biocomposites were produced, and the effect of sugarcane straw as a filler/reinforcement of commercial biopolymers was evaluated. Biocomposites were prepared using polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polyhydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV), or green polyethylene (Green-PE) with different fiber contents (20, 30, and 40 wt.%). Dry-blending followed by compression molding was used for the biocomposites preparation. The results showed that PLA, PHB, and PHBV biocomposites retained the same impact strength as the neat matrices, even with 40 wt.% of sugarcane straw. The flexural and tensile modulus of PLA, PHB, and PHBV biocomposites increased with 20% of SCS, whereas, in Green-PE biocomposites, these properties increased at all fiber contents. Since any compatibilizer was used, both the flexural and tensile strength decreased with the addition of SCS. However, even with the highest content of SCS, the tensile and flexural strength values were around 20 MPa, making these materials competitive for specific industrial applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Polymer Materials and Natural Fillers)

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21 pages, 7763 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Chemically Functionalized Cellulose Nanocrystals as Reactive Filler in Bio-Based Polyurethane Foams

by Francesca Coccia, Liudmyla Gryshchuk, Pierluigi Moimare, Ferdinando de Luca Bossa, Chiara Santillo, Einav Barak-Kulbak, Letizia Verdolotti, Laura Boggioni and Giuseppe Cesare Lama

Polymers 2021, 13(15), 2556; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13152556 - 31 Jul 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4102

Abstract

Cellulose Nanocrystals, CNC, opportunely functionalized are proposed as reactive fillers in bio-based flexible polyurethane foams to improve, mainly, their mechanical properties. To overcome the cellulose hydrophilicity, CNC was functionalized on its surface by linking covalently a suitable bio-based polyol to obtain a grafted-CNC. The polyols grafted with CNC will react with the isocyanate in the preparation of the polyurethane foams. An attractive way to introduce functionalities on cellulose surfaces in aqueous media is silane chemistry by using functional trialkoxy silanes, X-Si (OR)₃. Here, we report the synthesis of CNC-grafted-biopolyol to be used as a successful reactive filler in bio-based polyurethane foams, PUFs. The alkyl silanes were used as efficient coupling agents for the grafting of CNC and bio-polyols. Four strategies to obtain CNC-grafted-polyol were fine-tuned to use CNC as an active filler in PUFs. The effective grafting of the bio polyol on CNC was evaluated by FTIR analysis, and the amount of grafted polyol by thermogravimetric analysis. Finally, the morphological, thermal and mechanical properties and hydrophobicity of filled PUFs were thoughtfully assessed as well as the structure of the foams and, in particular, of the edges and walls of the cell foams by means of the Gibson–Ashby model. Improved thermal stability and mechanical properties of PU foams containing CNC-functionalized-polyol are observed. The morphology of the PU foams is also influenced by the functionalization of the CNC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Polymer Materials and Natural Fillers)

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