High Performance Compostable Biocomposites Based on Bacterial Polyesters Suitable For Injection Molding and Blow Extrusion

L. Pérez Amaro, H. Chen, A. Barghini, A. Corti and E. Chiellini

Abstract
This work deals with the design, preparation and characterization of composites based on Poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-(R)-3-hydroxyvalerate] and lignocellulosic filler suitable for the production of compostable and biodegradable biocomposites that mimic the thermo-mechanical and processing characteristics commonly found in those polymeric materials specially designed for injection molding and blow extrusion. The best formulation in terms of processability, thermo-mechanical properties and biodegradation behavior under mature compost conditions was the biocomposite that contained 42.8 % by wt. of Poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-(R)-3-hydroxyvalerate] as the major component, 5 % by wt. of lignocellulosic filler, 10 % by wt. of tributyl citrate plasticizer, 30 % by wt. of Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate), 10 % by wt. of Poly(vinyl acetate), 0.2 % by wt. of Joncryl ADR-4368C a chain extender, 1 % by wt. of a primary antioxidant mix, and 1 % by wt. of nucleating agents.

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Keywords
biocomposites, Poly(hydroxyalkanoate) (PHAs), processing, injection molding, biodegradation, chain extenders