Biodegradation of Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Composite Filled with Cellulose and Cellulose Acetate

Abstract:

A comparative study was conducted for the biodegradation of low density polyethylene (LDPE) composites filled with cellulose (C) and cellulose acetate (CA). Composites were prepared with the content of each filler of 10% (by weight) using an extruder at processing temperature of 125°C. Biodegradation processes were done by burying in the soil and by hanging in an open environment for four months. The percentage of weight loss of pure LDPE and composites due to the degradation were observed based on the weight reduction of the composites and supported by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated pure LDPE was not susceptible to microbial attack as the percentage of weight loss were constant. However, the composites filled with cellulose were relatively more susceptible to degradation as compared with composites filled cellulose acetate. Here, the percentage of weight loss of composites filled cellulose were higher than the composites filled cellulose acetate. On the other hand, the biodegradation processes by hanging in open environment were relatively faster than burying in soil for both types of composites. These results were confirmed by SEM which have shown some cavities.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 896)
• Pages: 314-317
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.896.314
• Online since: February 2014
• Authors: Halimatuddahliana Halimatuddahliana*, Ahmad Mulia Rambe
• Keywords: Biodegradation, Cellulose, Cellulose Acetate, LDPE

References

[1] B. B. Verma, Continuous Jute Fibre Reinforced Laminated Paper Composite And Reinforcement-Fibre Free Paper Laminate, Bull. Mater. Sci. 32 (2009) 589–595.

DOI: 10.1007/s12034-009-0090-0

[2] H.M. Akil, M.F. Omar, A.A.M. Mazuki, S. Safiee, Z.A.M. Ishak, A. Abu Bakar, Kenaf Fiber Reinforced Composites: A Review, Materials and Design, 32 (2011) 4107–4121.

DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2011.04.008

[3] R. Ghosh, G. Reena, A. Rama Krishna, L. Raju, Effect Of Fibre Volume Fraction On The Tensile Strength Of Banana Fibre Reinforced Vinyl Ester Resin Composites, International Journal Of Advanced Engineering Sciences And Technologies, 4 (201) 089 – 091.

[4] S. Ochi, Tensile Properties of Bamboo Fiber Reinforced Biodegradable Plastics, International Journal of Composite Materials, 2 (2012) 1-4.

DOI: 10.5923/j.cmaterials.20120201.01

[5] M. I. Ofem, M. Umar, F. A Ovat, Mechanical Properties of Rice Husk Filled Cashew Nut Shell Liquid Resin Composites, Journal of Materials Science Research, 1 (2012).

DOI: 10.5539/jmsr.v1n4p89

[6] T. Seidenstucker, H. G. Fritz, Innovative Biodegradable Materials Based Upon Starch and Thermoplastic Poly (ester-urethane) (TPU), Polymer Degradation and Stability, 59 (1998) 279-285.

DOI: 10.1016/s0141-3910(97)00199-7

[7] Ch. Bourban, E. Karamuk, M.J. de Fondaumiere, K. Ruffieux, J. Mayer, E. Wintermantel, Processing and Characterization of a New Biodegradable Composite Made of a PHB/V Matrix and Regenerated Cellulosic Fibers, Journal of Environmental Polymer Degradation, 5 (1997).

[8] J. Sahari1 and S.M. Sapuan, Natural Fibre Reinforced Biodegradable Polymer Composites, Rev. Adv. Mater. Sci. 30 (2011) 166-174.

[9] S. Mallaiah, K. V. Sharma, M. Krishna, Development and Comparative Studies of Bio-based and Synthetic Fiber Based Sandwich Structures, International Journal of Soft Computing and Engineering (IJSCE), 2 (2012).

[10] A.O. Ogah, J. N. Afiukwa, Effects Of Starch Blend On The Mechanical Properties And Biodegradability Of Polypropylene, Continental J. Biological Sciences, 5 (2012) 20-25.

[11] I. Kaur, N Gautam, Starch Grafted Polyethylene Evincing Biodegradation Behaviour, Malaysian Polymer Journal, 5 (2010) 26-38.

[12] Y. Zheng, E.K. Yanful, A Review of Plastic Waste Degradation, Crit Rev Biotechnol, 25 (2005) 243-250.

[13] R. Chandra, R. Rustgi, Biodegradable Polymers, Prog. Polym. Sci., 23 (1998) 1273–1335.

[14] J. Puls, S. A. Wilson, D. Holter, Degradation of Cellulose Acetate-Based Materials: A Review, J Polym Environ., 19 (2011) 152–165.