@Article{jrm.2024.057736,
AUTHOR = {Sayeda M. Abdo, Mehrez E. El-Naggar, Islam El Nagar, Samar A. El-Mekkawi, Youssef A. M.},
TITLE = {Innovative Bioplastics: Harnessing Microalgae and Low-Density Polyethylene for Sustainable Production},
JOURNAL = {Journal of Renewable Materials},
VOLUME = {13},
YEAR = {2025},
NUMBER = {3},
PAGES = {599--616},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/jrm/v13n3/60050},
ISSN = {2164-6341},
ABSTRACT = {
The accumulation of non-biodegradable plastic debris in the environment raises serious concerns about potential long-term effects on the environment, the economy, and waste management. To assess the feasibility of substituting commercial plastics for a biodegradable renewable polymer for many applications, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) was mixed with varying concentrations of algal biomass (AB). Algae are considered a clean, renewable energy source because they don’t harm the environment and can be used to create bioplastics. Algal biomass grown in a high rate algal pond (HRAP) used for wastewater treatment used at 12.5–50 weight percent. Mechanical, thermal, and morphological characteristics of the LDPE/AB mixes were studied. Improved compatibility and uniformity between the LDPE matrix and algal biomass phase were evident in the morphology of LDPE/AB blends. Tensile strength (TS) and elastic modulus (EM) of the prepared LDPE/AB blends significantly decreased to 4.63 and 255 MPa, respectively. Nevertheless, by increasing the concentration of AB up to 25% and 37.5%, the mechanical properties enhanced and raised to (TS = 6.75 MPa, EM = 426 MPa) and (TS = 7 MPa, EM = 494 MPa), respectively. Using 25% and 37.5% of AB significantly enhanced the miscibility and interaction between algal biomass and LDPE polymer. However, increasing the percentage of AB led to a reduction in the thermal stability of the LDPE/AB. In contrast, compatibilized blends demonstrated better thermal stability compared to un-compatibilized blends. These findings indicate that it is possible to develop a blend with improved structural, thermal, and mechanical properties by partially replacing LDPE with biodegradable algal biomass.},
DOI = {10.32604/jrm.2024.057736}
}