Biocomposites, applications

Loimberg H, Fogelstrom L, Malstrom E et al (2008) Microfibrillated cellulose films grafted with poly(e-caprolactone) - for biocomposite applications. Nordic Polymer Days, Stockholm, 11-13 June... 

Rao B S and Palanisamy A (2011), Monofunctional benzoxazine from cardanol for biocomposite applications . React Fund Polym, 71, 148-154, and references therein. 

Nanocellulose-based biocomposites merge two types of composites biocomposites and nanocomposites. If the biopol5mier matrix is filled with plant-derived fillers such as wood fibers, cellulose, and soy proteins, biocomposites ("green composites") are formed. And if the filler is nanoscale, then nanocomposites are produced. In case of nanocellulose-based biocomposites, nanofillers of natural origin are mixed with biodegradable pol mier matrices. Therefore, in this part of the chapter both biocomposites and nanocomposites will be discussed. Moreover, examples of nanocellulose-based biocomposites applications will be presented. Much emphasis will be p ut on biomedical application of this type of composites as they seem to become a significant part of the future biomedical technology. 

Cellulosic fiber reinforced polymeric composites find applications in many fields ranging from the construction industry to the automotive industry. The reinforcing efficiency of natural fiber is related to the namre of cellulose and its crystallinity. The main components of natural fibers are cellulose (a-cellulose), hemicelluloses, lignin, pectins, and waxes. For example, biopolymers or synthetic polymers reinforced with natural or biofibers (termed biocomposites) are a viable alternative to glass fiber composites. The term biocomposite is now being applied to a staggering range of materials derived wholly or in part from renewable biomass resources [23]. 

Part II discusses bioplastics and biocomposites. One of the main environmental problems in industrial development is plastic waste and its disposal. An enormous part of scientific research has been directed towards environmentally benevolent bioplastics that can easily be degraded or bio-assimilated. High performance biobased composites (biocomposites) are very economical and open up a wide range of applications. 

As an extension to the considerable amount of research undertaken on processing and properties of natural filler composites, in this last decade, a number of researchers have explored the concept of namral filler-reinforced PLA composites. An outstanding one is the project FAlR-CT-98-3919 (New ftmctional biopolymer-natural fiber composites from agriculture resources) by European Union, in which one of the key objectives was to manufacture demonstration parts on a pre-competitive level with the automotive industry as the main potential market. Within this project, Lanzillotta et al. [21] prepared biocomposites with flax fibers and PLA as the biopolymer matrix. The research focused on the idea of converting biocomposites into products for real automotive applications. 

The experiences made have shown that biocomposites can be excellently processed to make structural material. The weight-related mechanical properties make it possible to strive for application areas that are still dominated by glass fibre-reinforced plastics. At this time, limitations must be accepted in areas with extreme environmental conditions. Main target groups therefore are, for example, panelling elements in automobile and freight car manufacturing, the furniture industry and the entire market of the sports and leisure industry. 

The demand for better fuel efficiency based on the strict governmental regulations on safety and emission has led to the wide application of composites and plastics in the automotive industry in the place of the traditionally used steels [32]. Thermoplastic materials reinforced with natural fibers have reported to have excellent mechanical properties, recycling properties, etc. [33-36]. Several natural and biorenewable fibers such as wheat, isora, soybean, kenaf, straw, jute, and sisal are used in the fiber/plastic composite industry, and the use of namral fibers as reinforcements for composite has attracted many industries [37, 38]. Compared to polymer resin, polymer biocomposites that are reinforced with natural fibers have many applications due to its ease of processing, comparatively lower cost, and excellent mechanical properties [39]. For more than a decade, European car manufacturers and suppliers have been using natural fiber-based composites with thermoplastic and thermoset matrices. These biocomposites and bionanocomposites... 

PiUa, S. (ed.) (2011) Handbook of Bioplastics and Biocomposites Engineering Applications, John Wiley Sons, Inc., Hoboken, and Scrivener Publishing LLC, Salem. 

R. Ansari, M. S. Tehrani, M. B. Keivani, Application of polythiophene-sawdust nano-biocomposite for basic dye removal using a continuous system. / Wood Chem Technol 2013, 33 (1), 19-32. 

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