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Biosynthesis, Chemical Modification and Characterization of Biodegradable Polymers

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Macromolecular Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2021) | Viewed by 12982

Special Issue Editor

Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 6, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Interests: synthesis; modification; characterization of graphene and its derivatives; nanocellulose and nanostructured hybrids; preparation of multifunctional nanocomposites and bionanocomposites using conventional and advanced techniques; development of porous materials (biopolymeric functionally graded scaffolds, aerogels) for advanced applications; biolaminates; interphase study and modellization
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This is to present a Special Issue devoted to “Biosynthesis, Chemical Modification and Characterization of Biodegradable Polymers”, including green composites and nanocomposites (as long as fully renewable).

The rising concern toward environmental issues has stimulated research efforts in the perspective of reducing plastic waste, given the fact that, in recent decades, the disposal and nonbiodegradability of petroleum-derived plastics has caused serious water and land pollution.

In this context, the choices of materials and processing techniques must satisfy the current demands in terms of environmental sustainability. Using bio-based, biodegradable, and compostable resins may bring several advantages in terms of plastic waste reduction, renewability, and eco-friendliness.

However, a critical issue associated with manufacturing, application, and end-use of biodegradable polymeric systems is the generally observed poor mechanical performance of such materials, as well as their susceptibility to some external agents that currently limit the possibility of using them in severe conditions.

On the other hand, biodegradable polymers are crucial even for biomedical applications, including tissue engineering and drug delivery, which often require materials with predictable and tunable degradation rates under controlled conditions.

Therefore, knowledge about the relationships between synthesis, processing, structure, morphology, and properties in biodegradable polymer-based materials is necessary to achieve these goals. Nevertheless, the interactions between materials and external solicitations are still far from being fully explored and managed, as well as the deep understanding of the degradation/stabilization mechanisms in different environments.

Therefore, papers are sought that deal with the synthesis and/or modification of biodegradable polymeric systems, either providing new insights on the synthetic routes or investigating novel renewable sources, including re-valorization of agricultural or marine wastes. The latest research dealing with the preparation of biodegradable polymeric systems in special application fields and/or proposing novel characterization protocols will also be of great interest.

Dr. Andrea Maio
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • Biopolymers
  • Bioplastics
  • Enzymatic degradation
  • Hydrolytic degradation
  • Biodegradability
  • Compostability
  • Green composites
  • Biosynthesis
  • Functionalization
  • Bio-inspired
  • Green composites
  • Scaffolds
  • Tissue engineering
  • Drug delivery
  • Cleaner production

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

28 pages, 6555 KiB  
Article
Peroxide-Induced Synthesis of Maleic Anhydride-Grafted Poly(butylene succinate) and Its Compatibilizing Effect on Poly(butylene succinate)/Pistachio Shell Flour Composites
by Sandra Rojas-Lema, Jordi Arevalo, Jaume Gomez-Caturla, Daniel Garcia-Garcia and Sergio Torres-Giner
Molecules 2021, 26(19), 5927; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26195927 - 30 Sep 2021
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2953
Abstract
Framing the Circular Bioeconomy, the use of reactive compatibilizers was applied in order to increase the interfacial adhesion and, hence, the physical properties and applications of green composites based on biopolymers and food waste derived lignocellulosic fillers. In this study, poly(butylene succinate) grafted [...] Read more.
Framing the Circular Bioeconomy, the use of reactive compatibilizers was applied in order to increase the interfacial adhesion and, hence, the physical properties and applications of green composites based on biopolymers and food waste derived lignocellulosic fillers. In this study, poly(butylene succinate) grafted with maleic anhydride (PBS-g-MAH) was successfully synthetized by a reactive melt-mixing process using poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and maleic anhydride (MAH) that was induced with dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as a radical initiator and based on the formation of macroradicals derived from the hydrogen abstraction of the biopolymer backbone. Then, PBS-g-MAH was used as reactive compatibilizer for PBS filled with different contents of pistachio shell flour (PSF) during melt extrusion. As confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), PBS-g-MAH acted as a bridge between the two composite phases since it was readily soluble in PBS and could successfully form new esters by reaction of its multiple MAH groups with the hydroxyl (–OH) groups present in cellulose or lignin of PSF and the end ones in PBS. The resultant compatibilized green composites were, thereafter, shaped by injection molding into 4-mm thick pieces with a wood-like color. Results showed significant increases in the mechanical and thermomechanical rigidity and hardness, meanwhile variations on the thermal stability were negligible. The enhancement observed was related to the good dispersion and the improved filler-matrix interfacial interactions achieved by PBS-g-MAH and also to the PSF nucleating effect that increased the PBS’s crystallinity. Furthermore, water uptake of the pieces progressively increased as a function of the filler content, whereas the disintegration in controlled compost soil was limited due to their large thickness. Full article
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23 pages, 8166 KiB  
Article
Propionic Anhydride Modification of Cellulosic Kenaf Fibre Enhancement with Bionanocarbon in Nanobiocomposites
by Samsul Rizal, E. M. Mistar, A. A. Oyekanmi, Abdul Khalil H.P.S., Tata Alfatah, N. G. Olaiya and C. K. Abdullah
Molecules 2021, 26(14), 4248; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26144248 - 13 Jul 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1795
Abstract
The use of chemical modification of cellulosic fibre is applied in order to increase the hydrophobicity, hence improving the compatibility between the fibre and matrix bonding. In this study, the effect of propionic anhydride modification of kenaf fibre was investigated to determine the [...] Read more.
The use of chemical modification of cellulosic fibre is applied in order to increase the hydrophobicity, hence improving the compatibility between the fibre and matrix bonding. In this study, the effect of propionic anhydride modification of kenaf fibre was investigated to determine the role of bionanocarbon from oil palm shell agricultural wastes in the improvement of the functional properties of bionanocomposites. The vinyl esters reinforced with unmodified and propionic anhydride modified kenaf fibres bio nanocomposites were prepared using 0, 1, 3, 5 wt% of bio-nanocarbon. Characterisation of the fabricated bionanocomposite was carried out using FESEM, TEM, FT-IR and TGA to investigate the morphological analysis, surface properties, functional and thermal analyses, respectively. Mechanical performance of bionanocomposites was evaluated according to standard methods. The chemical modification of cellulosic fibre with the incorporation of bionanocarbon in the matrix exhibited high enhancement of the tensile, flexural, and impact strengths, for approximately 63.91%, 49.61% and 54.82%, respectively. The morphological, structural and functional analyses revealed that better compatibility of the modified fibre–matrix interaction was achieved at 3% bionanocarbon loading, which indicated improved properties of the bionanocomposite. The nanocomposites exhibited high degradation temperature which signified good thermal stability properties. The improved properties of the bionanocomposite were attributed to the effect of the surface modification and bionanocarbon enhancement of the fibre–matrix networks. Full article
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15 pages, 6440 KiB  
Article
Improved Hydrophobicity of Macroalgae Biopolymer Film Incorporated with Kenaf Derived CNF Using Silane Coupling Agent
by Adeleke A. Oyekanmi, N. I. Saharudin, Che Mohamad Hazwan, Abdul Khalil H. P. S., Niyi G. Olaiya, Che K. Abdullah, Tata Alfatah, Deepu A. Gopakumar and Daniel Pasquini
Molecules 2021, 26(8), 2254; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26082254 - 13 Apr 2021
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 2749
Abstract
Hydrophilic behaviour of carrageenan macroalgae biopolymer, due to hydroxyl groups, has limited its applications, especially for packaging. In this study, macroalgae were reinforced with cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) isolated from kenaf bast fibres. The macroalgae CNF film was after that treated with silane for [...] Read more.
Hydrophilic behaviour of carrageenan macroalgae biopolymer, due to hydroxyl groups, has limited its applications, especially for packaging. In this study, macroalgae were reinforced with cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) isolated from kenaf bast fibres. The macroalgae CNF film was after that treated with silane for hydrophobicity enhancement. The wettability and functional properties of unmodified macroalgae CNF films were compared with silane-modified macroalgae CNF films. Characterisation of the unmodified and modified biopolymers films was investigated. The atomic force microscope (AFM), SEM morphology, tensile properties, water contact angle, and thermal behaviour of the biofilms showed that the incorporation of Kenaf bast CNF remarkably increased the strength, moisture resistance, and thermal stability of the macroalgae biopolymer films. Moreover, the films’ modification using a silane coupling agent further enhanced the strength and thermal stability of the films apart from improved water-resistance of the biopolymer films compared to unmodified films. The morphology and AFM showed good interfacial interaction of the components of the biopolymer films. The modified biopolymer films exhibited significantly improved hydrophobic properties compared to the unmodified films due to the enhanced dispersion resulting from the silane treatment. The improved biopolymer films can potentially be utilised as packaging materials. Full article
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20 pages, 11525 KiB  
Article
Functional Properties and Molecular Degradation of Schizostachyum Brachycladum Bamboo Cellulose Nanofibre in PLA-Chitosan Bionanocomposites
by Samsul Rizal, N. I. Saharudin, N. G. Olaiya, H. P. S. Abdul Khalil, M. K. Mohamad Haafiz, Ikramullah Ikramullah, Umar Muksin, Funmilayo G. Olaiya, C. K. Abdullah and Esam Bashir Yahya
Molecules 2021, 26(7), 2008; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26072008 - 01 Apr 2021
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 2859
Abstract
The degradation and mechanical properties of potential polymeric materials used for green manufacturing are significant determinants. In this study, cellulose nanofibre was prepared from Schizostachyum brachycladum bamboo and used as reinforcement in the PLA/chitosan matrix using melt extrusion and compression moulding method. The [...] Read more.
The degradation and mechanical properties of potential polymeric materials used for green manufacturing are significant determinants. In this study, cellulose nanofibre was prepared from Schizostachyum brachycladum bamboo and used as reinforcement in the PLA/chitosan matrix using melt extrusion and compression moulding method. The cellulose nanofibre(CNF) was isolated using supercritical carbon dioxide and high-pressure homogenisation. The isolated CNF was characterised with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), FT-IR, zeta potential and particle size analysis. The mechanical, physical, and degradation properties of the resulting biocomposite were studied with moisture content, density, thickness swelling, tensile, flexural, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry, and biodegradability analysis. The TEM, FT-IR, and particle size results showed successful isolation of cellulose nanofibre using this method. The result showed that the physical, mechanical, and degradation properties of PLA/chitosan/CNF biocomposite were significantly enhanced with cellulose nanofibre. The density, thickness swelling, and moisture content increased with the addition of CNF. Also, tensile strength and modulus; flexural strength and modulus increased; while the elongation reduced. The carbon residue from the thermal degradation and the glass transition temperature of the PLA/chitosan/CNF biocomposite was observed to increase with the addition of CNF. The result showed that the biocomposite has potential for green and sustainable industrial application. Full article
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33 pages, 5901 KiB  
Article
A Polymer for Application as a Matrix Phase in a Concept of In Situ Curable Bioresorbable Bioactive Load-Bearing Continuous Fiber Reinforced Composite Fracture Fixation Plates
by Artem Plyusnin, Jingwei He, Cindy Elschner, Miho Nakamura, Julia Kulkova, Axel Spickenheuer, Christina Scheffler, Lippo V. J. Lassila and Niko Moritz
Molecules 2021, 26(5), 1256; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26051256 - 26 Feb 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1742
Abstract
The use of bioresorbable fracture fixation plates made of aliphatic polyesters have good potential due to good biocompatibility, reduced risk of stress-shielding, and eliminated need for plate removal. However, polyesters are ductile, and their handling properties are limited. We suggested an alternative, PLAMA [...] Read more.
The use of bioresorbable fracture fixation plates made of aliphatic polyesters have good potential due to good biocompatibility, reduced risk of stress-shielding, and eliminated need for plate removal. However, polyesters are ductile, and their handling properties are limited. We suggested an alternative, PLAMA (PolyLActide functionalized with diMethAcrylate), for the use as the matrix phase for the novel concept of the in situ curable bioresorbable load-bearing composite plate to reduce the limitations of conventional polyesters. The purpose was to obtain a preliminary understanding of the chemical and physical properties and the biological safety of PLAMA from the prospective of the novel concept. Modifications with different molecular masses (PLAMA-500 and PLAMA-1000) were synthesized. The efficiency of curing was assessed by the degree of convergence (DC). The mechanical properties were obtained by tensile test and thermomechanical analysis. The bioresorbability was investigated by immersion in simulated body fluid. The biocompatibility was studied in cell morphology and viability tests. PLAMA-500 showed better DC and mechanical properties, and slower bioresorbability than PLAMA-1000. Both did not prevent proliferation and normal morphological development of cells. We concluded that PLAMA-500 has potential for the use as the matrix material for bioresorbable load-bearing composite fracture fixation plates. Full article
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