Evaluation of polyblends of cottonseed protein and polycaprolactone plasticized by cottonseed oil. Issue 5 (4th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cheng, H. N.; Ford, Catrina V.; He, Zhongqi
• Is Part Of: International journal of polymer analysis and characterization. Volume 24:Issue 5(2019)
• Page Start: 389
• Page End: 398
• Publication Date: 2019-07-04
• Subjects: Cottonseed protein -- water-washed cottonseed meal -- polycaprolactone -- cottonseed oil -- bioplastic -- hot melt adhesive; Polymers -- Analysis -- Periodicals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1080/1023666X.2019.1598641
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1023-666X

Abstract

Abstract: Recently, there has been an increasing trend toward replacing conventional fossil-based plastics with bioplastics that are eco-friendly and biodegradable. In this work, blends of polycaprolactone (PCL) and cottonseed protein plasticized with cottonseed oil were made and analyzed for their mechanical, adhesive, and thermal properties. The addition of water-washed cottonseed meal (WCSM) to PCL increased the Young's modulus but decreased the tensile strength and elongation-at-break of PCL. The addition of cottonseed oil to the PCL/WCSM blend kept the tensile strength about the same but enhanced the elongation. The PCL blends with WCSM and cottonseed protein isolate gave about the same mechanical properties, both somewhat better than the PCL/soy protein isolate blend. As plasticizers, cottonseed oil performed slightly better than coconut oil, both better than poly(ethylene glycol). The addition of WCSM and cottonseed oil (up to a PCL:WCSM:plasticizer ratio of 60:40:20) did not change the adhesive performance of PCL on fiberboard. Thus, the combination of PCL/cottonseed protein/cottonseed oil seems to be a viable bioplastic, and one possible application for this material may be in the hot melt adhesive area.