Electrospun biopolymer blends of poly(lactic acid) and poly(hydroxybutyrate) reinforced with biochar derived from kitchen waste

Abstract

Biodegradable composites reinforced with natural fillers are exciting alternatives to expensive biodegradable polymers. This study aimed to investigate the effect of kitchen waste–derived biochar on the morphological, chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties of electrospun fibrous mats from a blend of biodegradable polymers poly(lactic acid) and poly(hydroxybutyrate). The electrospun neat PLA/PHB mats and mats with 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 wt.% content of kitchen waste-derived biochar were produced. The techniques of scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and different scanning calorimetry and tensile tests were used for the fundamental characterization of the produced electrospun mats. The results indicate that adding biochar to PLA/PHB does not significantly affect the properties of electrospun materials. This may be advantageous for packaging, filtration, or agriculture applications.

Keywords

• biochar
• biodegradable composites
• electrospinning
• material characterization
• environmentally friendly polymers

References

1. Zhao, X., Wang, Y., Chen, X., Yu, X., Li, W., Zhang, S., Meng, X., Zhao, Z. M., Dong, T., Andreson, A., Aiyedun, A., Li, Y., Webb, E., Wu, Z., Kunc, V., Ragauskas, A., Ozcan, S., Hogli, & Zhu. (2023). Sustainable bioplastics derived from renewable natural resources for food packaging. Matter, 6(1), 97-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2022.11.006
2. Rosenboom, J. G., Langer, R., & Traverso, G. (2022). Bioplastics for a circular economy. Nature Reviews Materials, 7, 117-137. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41578-021-00407-8
3. Popa, M. S., Frone, A. N., & Panaitescu, D. M. (2022). Polyhydroxybutyrate blends: A solution for biodegradable packaging? International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 207, 263-277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.02.185
4. Balakrishnan, S., Atayo, A., & Asmatulu, E. (2024). Machine learning applications for electrospun nanofibers: A review. Journal of Materials Science, 59, 14095-15140. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-024-09994-7
5. Arrieta, M. P., Perdiguero, M., Fiori, S., Kenny, J. M., & Peponi, L. (2020). Biodegradable electrospun PLA-PHB fibers plasticized with oligomeric lactic acid. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 179, 109226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2020.109226
6. Arrieta, M. P., Díez García, A., López, D., Fiori, S., & Peponi, L. (2019). Antioxidant bilayers based on PHBV and plasticized electrospun PLA-PHB fibers encapsulating catechin. Nanomaterials, 9(3), 346. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9030346
7. Aydemir, D., & Gardner, D. J. (2020). Biopolymer blends of polyhydroxybutyrate and polylactic acid reinforced with cellulose nanofibrils. Carbohydrate Polymers, 250, 116867. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.116867
8. Musioł, M., Rydz, J., Janeczek, H., Andrzejewski, J., Cristea, M., Musioł, K., Kampik, M., & Kowalczuk, M. (2024). (Bio)degradable biochar composites of PLA/P(3HB-co-4HB) commercial blend for sustainable future—Study on degradation and electrostatic properties. Polymers, 16(16), 2331. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16162331

9. Selvarajoo, A., Wong, Y. L., Khoo, K. S., Chen, W. H., & Show, P. L. (2022). Biochar production via pyrolysis of citrus peel fruit waste as a potential usage as solid biofuel. Chemosphere, 294, 133671. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133671
10. Hu, L., Qin, R., Zhou, L., Hua, D., Li, K., & He, X. (2023). Effects of orange peel biochar and cipangopaludina chinensis shell powder on soil organic carbon transformation in citrus orchards. Agronomy, 13(7), 1801. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13071801
11. Andrade, T. S., Vakros, J., Mantzavinos, D., & Lianos, P. (2020). Biochar obtained by carbonization of spent coffee grounds and its applications in the construction of an energy storage device. Chemical Engineering Journal Advances, 4, 100061. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceja.2020.100061
12. World Wide Fund for Nature. (Erişim tarihi: 24.11.2024). Fight climate change by preventing food waste. WWF Stories.
13. Opálková Šišková, A., Dvorák, T., Šimonová Baranyaiová, T., Šimon, E., Eckstein Andicsová, A., Švajdlenková, H., Opálek, A., Krížik, P., & Nosko, M. (2020). Simple and eco-friendly route from agro-food waste to water pollutants removal. Materials, 13(23), 5424. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13235424
14. Maiza, M., Benaniba, M. T., & Massardier-Nageotte, V. (2015). Plasticizing effects of citrate esters on properties of poly(lactic acid). Journal of Polymer Engineering, 36(4), 371-380. https://doi.org/10.1515/polyeng-2015-0140
15. Radu, E. R., Panaitescu, D. M., Nicolae, C. A., Gabor, R. A., Raditoiu, V., Stoian, S., Alexandrescu, E., Frierascu, R., Ioana, C., & Radu, F. (2021). The soil biodegradability of structured composites based on cellulose cardboard and blends of polylactic acid and polyhydroxybutyrate. Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 29, 2310–2320. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-020-02017-x
16. Mosnáčková, K., Danko, M., Šišková, A., Falco, L. M., Janigová, I., Chmela, Š., Vanovčanová, Z., Omaníková, L., Chodák, I., & Mosnáček, J. (2017). Complex study of the physical properties of a poly(lactic acid)/poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) blend and its carbon black composite during various outdoor and laboratory aging conditions. RSC Advances, 7(74), 47132-47142. https://doi.org/10.1039/C7RA08869H