Interface-performance correlations in polylactide/agricultural waste composites: effects of natural mineral pulping reagent and reactive plant-based compatibilizer

Abstract

In this research, the borax mineral has been applied for pulping the rice straw (RS) fibers. This natural mineral has successfully fibrillated the RS fibers and separated the non-cellulosic components of RS. The effects of this pulping method, along with the addition of epoxidized soybean oil (ESO), a plant-based reactive compatibilizer, on the poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/RS biocomposite’s properties have been investigated. The incorporation of untreated RS into the PLA matrix led to more brittle behavior of PLA and higher sensitivity towards water and flame. The RS pulping with borax and using ESO in the biocomposite doubled the impact strength of PLA and increased the elastic modulus of PLA more than six times. Additionally, the RS treatment with borax and tailoring the filler/matrix interface with ESO lowered the linear burning rate and water absorption of the PLA/RS biocomposite.