title: Polylactide-based renewable green composites from agricultural residues and their hybrids.
abstract: Agricultural natural fibers like jute, kenaf, sisal, flax, and industrial hemp have been extensively studied in green composites. The continuous supply of biofibers in high volumes to automotive part makers has raised concerns. Because extrusion followed by injection molding drastically reduces the aspect ratio of biofibers, the mechanical performance of injection molded agricultural residue and agricultural fiber-based composites are comparable. Here, the use of inexpensive agricultural residues and their hybrids that are 8-10 times cheaper than agricultural fibers is demonstrated to be a better way of getting sustainable materials with better performance. Green renewable composites from polylactide (PLA), agricultural residues (wheat straw, corn stover, soy stalks, and their hybrids) were successfully prepared through twin-screw extrusion, followed by injection molding. The effect on mechanical properties of varying the wheat straw amount from 10 to 40 wt % in PLA-wheat straw composites was studied. Tensile moduli were compared with theoretical calculations from the rule of mixture (ROM). Combination of agricultural residues as hybrids is proved to reduce the supply chain concerns for injection molded green composites. Densities of the green composites were found to be lower than those of conventional glass fiber composites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Agriculture, Bioproducts Discovery and Development Centre, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada.
authors.forename: Calistor
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nyambo
authors.forename: Amar K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Mohanty
authors.forename: Manjusri
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Misra
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013025:Glycine max / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development; D013499:Surface Properties; D044366:Transition Temperature; D014908:Triticum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development; D003313:Zea mays / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; C033616:poly(lactide)