Chengtao Gao^1,2, Yang Wu³, Haibo Xie^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.3, pp. 1137-1152, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.021473

Abstract

Due to the increasing demand for modified polylactide (PLA) meeting “double green” criteria, the research on sustainable plasticizers for PLA has attracted broad attentions. This study reported an open-ring polymerization method to fabricate cellulose (MCC)-g-PCL (poly (ε-caprolactone)) copolymers with a fully sustainable and biodegradable component. MCC-g-PCL copolymers were synthesized, characterized, and used as green plasticizers for the PLA toughening. The results indicated that the MCC-g-PCL derivatives play an important role in the compatibility, crystallization, and toughening of the PLA/MCC-g-PCL composites. The mechanical properties of the fully bio-based PLA/MCC-g-PCL composites were optimized by adding 15 wt% MCC-g-PCL, that is, the elongation… More > Graphic Abstract

Arunjunai Raj Mahendran^*, Günter Wuzella, Stefan Pichler, Herfried Lammer

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.6, pp. 1505-1516, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.017835

Abstract The objective of this work is to carry out the chemical treatment for the hemp fabrics in a closed vacuum system and to prepare bio-based composites using treated hemp fabrics. The change in surface tension of the treated fabrics was measured using contact angle measurement and the wetting behavior using a tensiometer. Bio-based composites were fabricated using bio-based epoxy resin and different chemically treated fabrics. The flexural strength and dynamic water absorption behavior of the composites were characterized. The acetylated fabrics showed very good wetting behavior, and the contact angle values were marginally low compared to other treatment techniques. The… More > Graphic Abstract