Effect of flax fibers addition on the mechanical properties and biodegradability of biocomposites based on thermoplastic starch

Abstrakt

The research was intended to develop a biocomposite as an alternative biodegradable material, for the production of, e.g., disposable utensils. The author’s tested thermoplastic maize starch, both without additives and with the addition of crumbled fl ax fi ber in the share of 10, 20 and 30 wt%. The plasticizer added was technical glycerin and the samples were produced by a single-screw extruder. The mechanical strength tests were performed, including the impact tensile test and three-point bending fl exural test. Afterwards, the samples were tested for biodegradability under anaerobic conditions. The methane fermentation process was carried in a laboratory bioreactor under thermophilic conditions with constant mixing of the batch. All samples proved to be highly susceptible to biodegradation during the experiment, regardless of the fl ax fi ber share. The biogas potential was about 600 ml·g-1, and the methane concentration in biogas ranged from 66.8 to 69.6%. It was found, that the biocomposites can be almost completely utilized in bioreactors during the biodegradation process. The energy recovery in the decomposition process with the generation of signifi cant amount of methane constitutes an additional benefi t.

Autorzy

Gabriel Borowski
Gabriel Borowski
Tomasz Klepka
Tomasz Klepka
Małgorzata Pawłowska
Małgorzata Pawłowska
Maria Cristina Lavagnolo
Maria Cristina Lavagnolo
artykuł
Archives of Environmental Protection
Angielski
2020
46
2
74-82
otwarte czasopismo
CC BY-NC-SA Uznanie autorstwa-Użycie niekomercyjne-Na tych samych warunkach 4.0
ostateczna wersja opublikowana
w momencie opublikowania
2020-06-16
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1,489
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