Sodium-Alginate-Doped Lignin Nanoparticles for PBAT Composite Films to Dually Enhance Tensile Strength and Elongation Performance with Functionality
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: It is a formidable challenge in thermoplastic/lignin composites to simultaneously boost tensile strength and elongation performance due to the rigidity of lignin. To address this issue, sodium-alginate-doped lignin nanoparticles (SLNPs) were prepared by combining solvent exchange and a coprecipitation method and used as an eco-friendly filler for poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). The results indicated that the 1% polyanionic sodium alginate solution contributed to the formation of SLNP in lignin/THF solution. SLNP with a mean hydrodynamic diameter of ~500 nm and a Zeta potential value of -19.2 mV was obtained, indicating more hydrophobic lignin nanoparticles and a smaller number of agglomerates in SLNP suspension. Only 0.5 wt% SLNP addition improved the yield strength, tensile strength, and elongation at break by 32.4%, 31.8%, and 35.1% of the PBAT/SLNP composite films, respectively. The reinforcing effect resulted from the rigid aromatic structure of SLNP, whereas the enhanced elongation was attributed to the nanostructural feature of SLNP, which may promote boundary cracking. Additionally, the PBAT/SLNP composite films displayed excellent ultraviolet (UV) resistance with a UV shielding percentage near 100% for UVB and more than 75% for UVA, respectively. The addition of SLNP hindered water vapor, enhancing the moisture barrier properties. Overall, this study provides an effective strategy to eliminate the decrement in elongation performance for PBAT/lignin composites and suggest they are good candidates to be extensively utilized.
Source: Polymers
Authors: Qiyue Guo, Yuan He, Jianyu Wu, Haichuan Ye, Tingting You, Feng Xu
Institutions: Beijing Forestry University, Qilu University of Technology
Language: English
Topic: Lignin and Wood Chemistry
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,069
OpenAlex ID: W4401612903