Biopolymer natural fibers

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. 

Lanzillotta, C., Pipino, A., Lips, D. New functional biopolymer natural fiber composites from agriculture resources. In Proceeding of amraal technical conference of the society of plastics engineers, vol. 60, pp. 2185 (2002)... 

Riedel, U., Nickel, J. (2003). Applications of natural fiber composites for constructive parts in aerospace, automobiles, and other areas. In A. Steinbiichel (Ed.). Biopolymers, vol. 10 (pp. 1-11). Wiley-VCH, New York. 

Mohanty AK, Misra M, Drzal LT (eds.) (2005) Natural fibers, biopolymers, and biocomposites. CRC, Boca Raton... 

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]. 

Antimicrobial Edible films were prepared from natural fiber of pectin and other food hydrocolloids for food packaging or wrapping by extrusion followed by compression or blown film method. Microscopic analysis revealed a well mixed integrated structure of extruded pellets and an even distribution of the synthetic hydrocolloid in the biopolymers. The resultant composite films possess the mechanical properties that are comparable to films cast from most natural hydrocolloids that consumed as foods or components in processed foods. The inclusion of polyethylene oxide) alters the textures of the resultant composite films and therefore, demonstrating a new technique for the modification of film properties. The composite films were produced in mild processing conditions, thus, the films are able to protect the bioactivity of the incorporated nisin, as shown by the inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes bacterial growth by a liquid incubation method. 

A. Bismark, S. Mishra, and T. Lampke. Plant fibers as reinforcement for green composites. In A.K. Mahanty, M. Misra, and L.T. Drzal (Eds.), Natural Fibers, Biopolymers, and Biocomposites, Taylor Francis, CRC, Boca Raton, 2005, p. 65. 

A. K. Mohanty, M. Misra, L.T. Drzal, S.E. Selke, B.R. Harte and G. Hinrichsen, Natural Fibers, Biopolymers, and Biocomposites An Introduction in Natural Fibers, Biopolymers and Biocomposites, Editors A. K. Mohanty, Manjusri Misra, Lawrence T. Drzal, CRC Press, Taylor Francis Group, Boca Raton, FL, 2005. 

Smita Mohanty is working as a Scientist at Laboratory for Advanced Research in Polymeric Materials (LARPM). Dr. Mohanty s research interests include biopolymers, blend nancomposites and natural fiber based composites. She has 8 years of research experience and has 50 research publications and 5 patents to her credit. She has guided 15 Masters Thesis and 2 doctoral students. 

Abstract Biopolymers are expected to be an alternative for conventional plastics due to the limited resources and soaring petroleum price which will restrict the use of petroleum based plastics in the near future. PLA has attracted the attention of polymer scientist recently as a potential biopolymer to substitute the conventional petroleum based plastics. The chapter aims to highlight on the recent developments in preparation and characterization of PLA blends (biodegradable and non-biodegradable blends), PLA composites (natural fiber and mineral fillers) and PLA nanocomposites (PLA/montmorillonite, PLA/carbon nanotubes and PLA/cellulose nano whiskers). 

Source M. Patel, R. Narayan, in Natural Fibers, Biopolymers and Biooomposites, A. Mohanty, M. Misra, L. Drzal, Taylor Francis Group,... 

Munder F., FtirU C., Hempel H., Processing of bast fiber plants for industrial application, in Natural Fibers, Biopolymers and Biocomposites, Eds. Mohanty A.K., Misra M. and Drzal L.T., CRC Press Taylor Francis Group, Boca Raton, 2005, pp. 109-140, Chapter 3. 

Satyanarayana KG, Fernando W (2007) Characterization of natural fibers. In Fakirov S, Bhattacharyya D (eds) Engineering biopolymers homopolymers, blends and composites, Auckland, New Zealand, vol 1. Hanser, Munich, pp 03-47... 

Bhaduii SK, Sen SK, Dasgupta PC (1983) Structural studies of an acidic polysaccharide isolated from the leaf fibre of pineapple (Ananas comosus MERR). Carbohydr Res 121 211-220 Bhattacharya TB, Biswas AK, Chatterjee J, Pramnick D (1986) Short pineapple leaf fibre reinforced rubber composites. Plast Rubb Process Appl 6 119-125 Bismarck A, Mishra S, Lampke T (2005) Plant fibers as reinforcement for green composites. In Mohanty AK, Misra M, Drzal LT (eds) Natural fibers, biopolymers and biocomposites. Taylor Francis, EL, Boca Raton... 

Mohanty AK, Parija S, Misra M (1996) Ce(IV)-A(-acetylglycine initiated graft copolymerization of acrylonitrile onto chemically modified pineapple leaf fibers. J Appl Polym Sci 60 931-937 Mohanty AK, Khan MA, Hinrichsen G (2000) Surface modification of jute and its influence on performance ofbiodegradable jute-fabric/Biopol composites. Compos Sci Technol 60 1115-1124 Mohanty AK, Misra M, Drzal LT, Selke SE, Harte BR, Hinrichsen G (2005) Natural fibers, biopolymers and biocomposites an introduction. In Mohanty AK, Misra M, Drzal LT (eds) Natural fibers, biopolymers and biocomposites. Taylor Francis, FL, Boca Raton Mukherjee PS, Satyanarayana KG (1986) Structure and properties of some vegetable fibres Part 2 pineapple fiber. J Mater Sci 21 51-56... 

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