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Polymer biocomposites based on natural lignocellulose: Preparation and thermal characterization

The aim of this study was to prepare biocomposites with melt mixing (compounding) of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) with natural lignocellulose, rice husk (RH) in order to obtain biocomposites as a packaging materials [1, 2]. The LDPE/RH biocomposites with different content of rice husk (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 wt %) were prepared by laboratory Brabender mixer. The influence of the rice husk and their content on thermal properties of LDPE/ RH biocomposites was investigated. Thermal stability of the neat LDPE and LDPE/RH biocomposites was studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in nitrogen atmosphere. The viscoelastic properties, the storage modulus (E ') and loss modulus (E'') as a function of temperature for the neat LDPE and LDPE/RH biocomposites were obtained by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The phase transitions were obtained using the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Results confirmed that the incorporation of the RH into the LDPE and increase of the content of the RH slightly increased the crystallinity of biopolymers. The initial degradation temperature of the neat LDPE is shifted to higher temperature by the addition of RH which means that the thermal stability of the LDPE increased by the addition od RH.

biocomposites, thermal properties, lignocellulose

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