Elizabeth Cardoso
Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, Brazil
Title: Influence of particle size of bio-calcium carbonate used as reinforcement of PBAT/PLA bio-based foams compatibilized with ionizing radiation
Biography
Biography: Elizabeth Cardoso
Abstract
Bio-filler from eggshells as reinforcement of bio-based polymers are based on their principle benefits such as good strength and stiffness besides being an environmental friendly, degradable and renewable material. Eggshell is an agricultural waste largely considered as garbage and discarded mostly because it contributes to pollution. Biodegradable polymers as PLA (poli-lactic acid) and PBAT (butylene adipate co-terephthalate) are thermoplastics which can be processed using most conventional polymer processing methods. PLA is high in strength and modulus (63 MPa and 3.4 GPa, respectively) but brittle (strain at break 3.8%) while PBAT is flexible and tough (strain at break <710%). In order to reduce interfacial tension exhibited by PLA/PBAT blend, compatibilization is fundamental: herein it was used as compatibilizing agent PLA previously e-beam irradiated at 150 kGy: ionizing radiation induces compatibilization by free radicals, improving the dispersion and adhesion of blend phases, without the use of chemical additives and at room temperature. PLA/PBAT, 65/35 blend with bio-filler, from avian eggs, of 38 and 75 µm particle size were prior homogenized in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder and further foamed in a mono-screw extruder, by using CO2 as Physical Blowing Agent (PBA). Characterizations involved: Melt Index, DSC, TGA, FTIR, SEM, XRD and mechanical essays.