Factors affecting the properties of biodegradable material based on polyhydroxyalkanoates reinforced with bacterial cellulose

Abstract

Aiming to enhance the properties of biodegradable plastic to gradually replace petroleum-based plastic products and reduce plastic waste pollution, this study examines the fabrication and characterisation of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) reinforced with bacterial cellulose (BC) fibre. The study investigates the properties of PHA/BC composite by varying the content of compatibiliser PHA-g-MA from 3-6% and reinforcement BC fibres from 2-8%, thereby selecting the optimal reinforcement content. The performance of the compatibilisers will be measured with tensile strength and elongation at break, while the reinforcements will be evaluated based on thermal properties, infrared spectrum, water absorption, contact angle, and tensile strength. The results indicated a suitable matching rate of 5%, an optimal reinforcement ratio of 4%, a tensile strength of 12.08 MPa, an elongation at break of 86%, a water absorption of 0.7%, and a contact angle of 82o. Thermal behaviour and infrared spectrum were not significantly affected by the added reinforcement content. Optimising the compatibiliser and BC reinforcement content for manufacturing PHA/BC biodegradable materials will contribute to reducing the cost of the product and improving the mechanical properties of PHA.