TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of Kraft lignin and corn cob agro-residue on the properties of injected-moulded biocomposites
AU - de Baynast, Hélène
AU - Tribot, Amélie
AU - Niez, Benjamin
AU - Audonnet, Fabrice
AU - Badel, Eric
AU - Cesar, Guy
AU - Dussap, Claude Gilles
AU - Gastaldi, Emmanuelle
AU - Massacrier, Laurent
AU - Michaud, Philippe
AU - Delattre, Cédric
N1 - Funding Information:
This research was funded by the Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and the European Regional Development Fund .
PY - 2022/3
Y1 - 2022/3
N2 - Lignocellulosic by-products are frequently disposed by means of combustion. This study investigates an alternative route for corn cob and Kraft lignin resources in order to support circular economy. The respective plant-based fibres and filler were compounded for the first time together with a poly(lactic acid) (PLA) matrix. Consecutively, seven different biocomposites were processed by injection-moulding and further characterized. The biocomposite containing a mixture of Kraft lignin and corn cob (12 wt% in total) exhibited the highest flexural strength (84 MPa). A proper wetting of PLA onto the corn cob particles demonstrated a good compatibility at matrix/fibre interface. PLA molecular structure changed in presence of 20 wt% lignin filler, with effect on the glass transition temperature and on the composite mechanical strength. The fibres moderately influenced composites surface tension, while Kraft lignin contributed to a slight increase of surface hydrophobicity. Surface energy (σsTotal) of composites have been estimated at 27.6, 28.7 and 27.8 mN/m for PLA/KL-20, PLA/CC-10 and PLA/KL-15/CC-5 respectively. While the polar component (σsPolar) have been estimated at 17.8, 20.0 and 18.7 mN/m for PLA/KL-20, PLA/CC-10 and PLA/KL-15/CC-5 respectively. Unlike the PLA/corn cob composite, those containing Kraft lignin were entirely biodegraded within 2 months in industrial composting conditions study. The materials could be utilized for end-use products thanks to their good mechanical and thermal properties. By adding wood-lignin and corn by-products, materials cost and carbon footprint shall decrease in comparison to pure PLA, while being a biodegradable and sustainable replacement of polyolefins.
AB - Lignocellulosic by-products are frequently disposed by means of combustion. This study investigates an alternative route for corn cob and Kraft lignin resources in order to support circular economy. The respective plant-based fibres and filler were compounded for the first time together with a poly(lactic acid) (PLA) matrix. Consecutively, seven different biocomposites were processed by injection-moulding and further characterized. The biocomposite containing a mixture of Kraft lignin and corn cob (12 wt% in total) exhibited the highest flexural strength (84 MPa). A proper wetting of PLA onto the corn cob particles demonstrated a good compatibility at matrix/fibre interface. PLA molecular structure changed in presence of 20 wt% lignin filler, with effect on the glass transition temperature and on the composite mechanical strength. The fibres moderately influenced composites surface tension, while Kraft lignin contributed to a slight increase of surface hydrophobicity. Surface energy (σsTotal) of composites have been estimated at 27.6, 28.7 and 27.8 mN/m for PLA/KL-20, PLA/CC-10 and PLA/KL-15/CC-5 respectively. While the polar component (σsPolar) have been estimated at 17.8, 20.0 and 18.7 mN/m for PLA/KL-20, PLA/CC-10 and PLA/KL-15/CC-5 respectively. Unlike the PLA/corn cob composite, those containing Kraft lignin were entirely biodegraded within 2 months in industrial composting conditions study. The materials could be utilized for end-use products thanks to their good mechanical and thermal properties. By adding wood-lignin and corn by-products, materials cost and carbon footprint shall decrease in comparison to pure PLA, while being a biodegradable and sustainable replacement of polyolefins.
KW - Biopolymer
KW - Environmental degradation
KW - Mechanical properties
KW - Microstructure
KW - Natural fibres
KW - Thermal analysis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85121643483&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.indcrop.2021.114421
DO - 10.1016/j.indcrop.2021.114421
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85121643483
VL - 177
JO - Industrial Crops and Products
JF - Industrial Crops and Products
SN - 0926-6690
M1 - 114421
ER -
