Qionglin Luo¹, Mingliang Wang², Hui Zhang¹, Yuejun Ouyang¹, Hongwei Lin¹, You Shu^1,*, Shengpei Su^1,2,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.9, No.12, pp. 2067-2076, 2021, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2021.016255

Abstract Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) is a thermoplastic material with complete degradability, high biocompatibility and excellent mechanical properties. It can replace petroleum-based polymers are currently being used in the fields of packaging, agriculture, textiles, medical and so on. However, PLLA’s extremely flammability greatly limits its wider application. An bio-based flame retardant L-APP/PLLA composites was prepared by melt blending of the L-APP and PLLA. The morphology, impact properties, thermal properties and flame retardant properties of composites were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM), impact tester, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), limiting oxygen indexer (LOI) and horizontalvertical burning tester. The… More > Graphic Abstract

Norma M. P. Machado¹, Gustavo C. Melo¹, Matheus F. Camargo¹, Giulianna G. Feijó¹, Bruna M. S. Putton², Clarice Steffens², Rogerio L. Cansian², Luiz A. Pessan¹, Francys K. V. Moreira^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.9, No.2, pp. 337-349, 2021, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2021.011081

Abstract Food packaging materials compounded with antimicrobial additives can substantially diminish the incidence of foodborne diseases. Here, poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA) films containing sodium metabisulfite (NaM) were produced by melt extrusion as an attempt to develop a new biodegradable material with antimicrobial properties for packaging. Life cycle assessment (LCA) simulations revealed that the environmental footprints of the PLA film did not change upon NaM addition, and that NaM is more eco-friendly than silver nanoparticles. The PLA/NaM films with NaM content varying from 0.5 to 5.0 wt.% were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and optical and mechanical properties determinations.… More >

Mariia Stepanova¹, Ilia Averianov¹, Olga Solomakha¹, Natalia Zabolotnykh², Iosif Gofman¹, Mikhail Serdobintsev², Tatiana Vinogradova², Viktor Korzhikov-Vlakh^1,3, Evgenia Korzhikova-Vlakh^1,3,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.8, No.4, pp. 383-395, 2020, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2020.09206

Abstract The biocomposite films were prepared from poly(L-lactic acid) and cellulose nanocrystals. To improve interfacial compatibility of hydrophilic cellulose nanocrystals with hydrophobic matrix polymer as well as to provide the osteoconductive properties, cellulose was functionalized with poly(glutamic acid). The modified cellulose nanocrystals were better distributed and less aggregated within the matrix, which was testified by scanning electron, optical and polarized light microscopy. According to mechanical tests, composites filled with nanocrystals modified with PGlu demonstrated higher values of Young’s modulus, elongation at break and tensile strength. Incubation of composite materials in model buffer solutions for 30 weeks followed with staining of Ca²⁺… More >