Discarded bamboo chopstick cellulose-based fibers for bio-based polybutylene succinate composite reinforcement

Abstract

The excessive use of disposable chopsticks generates a significant amount of waste, particularly waste bamboo chopsticks (WBC). This study aims to reduce waste and enhance the value of WBC by extracting bamboo fibers and reinforcing them in a biopolymer matrix. Research on WBC/polymer composites, especially those utilizing extracted bamboo fibers in a biopolymer matrix, is limited. In this research, the bamboo fibers extracted from WBC and bamboo plant are reinforced into a biopolymer called polybutylene succinate (PBS) at varying levels from 0 to 40wt% with increments of 10wt%. The characteristics of composites made from WBC fiber and PBS are analyzed and compared with those of PBS incorporating bamboo fibers obtained directly from bamboo plants. The evaluation focuses on various aspects, including morphology, mechanical strength, thermal properties, and rheological characteristics. The results showed that introducing WBC fibers into the PBS matrix did not significantly compromise the properties or thermal stability of the composites when contrasted with bamboo fibers sourced from bamboo plants and used in PBS composites. The WBC fiber/PBS composites displayed slightly superior mechanical and rheological properties compared to composites incorporating bamboo plant fibers in PBS. The results affirm that bamboo fibers extracted from WBC can effectively reinforce biopolymer composites.

Graphical abstract