Biopolymerforschung

Abstrakt

Thermal and mechanical properties of bio-composites made of biopolymers and potato pulp powder

Norma Mallegni , P Cinelli , A Lazzeri , M Seggiani and M C Righetti

The thermal and mechanical properties of different bio-composites made of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3- hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) (5 wt% of vale rate units) with the addition ofpotato pulppowderwere investigated in order toquantify how the addition of this filler modifies the structure of the polymeric material and to obtain information on possible miscibility/compatibility between the biopolymers and the potato pulp. The potato pulp powder utilized is a residue of the processing for the production and extraction of starch. The study was conducted by analysing the effect of the potato pulp concentration on the thermal and mechanical properties of the bio-composites. The results showed that the potato pulp powder does not act as reinforcement but as filler for the polymeric matrix. A progressive decrease in elastic modulus, tensile strength and elongation at break was observed with increasing the potato pulp percentage. This moderate loss of mechanical properties, however, still meets the technical requirements indicated for the production of rigid packaging items. The incorporation of potato pulp powder to the biopolymer matrices offers the possibility to reduce the cost of the final products and promotes a circular economy approach for the valorisation of agro-food waste biomass.