Desenvolvimento de materiais à base de poli(ácido láctico) e fibra de celulose refinada com e sem XNBR

Abstract

In a world increasingly focused on replacing environmentally harmful materials with bio-friendly alternatives, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) emerges as a thermoplastic biopolymer produced from renewable raw materials, currently serving as an option for substituting fossil-based plastic materials. However, despite its biodegradable characteristics and potential for compostability, PLA exhibits brittle behavior at room temperature. In this context, this study proposes the preparation of composites based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with the aim of exploring advantages by incorporating mechanically processed cellulose and mechanically processed cellulose coated with carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) into the polymeric matrix. The effects of the refining degree of 40-45° SR (Shopper-Rigler) to which the cellulose fibers were subjected were investigated, comparing them with non-refined cellulose fibers and refined fibers coated with XNBR. Mechanical, thermal, morphological, and rheological properties were analyzed for both types of composites, comparing them with each other and with pure PLA. The study also aims to evaluate the content of refined cellulose modified with XNBR and the effects of different levels on the aforementioned properties, using pure PLA as a reference. Thus, the obtained results contribute to the development of more sustainable materials, considering the search for bio-friendly solutions in the replacement of conventional plastics.