Evaluation of different strengthening methods in the mechanical and functional properties of soy protein-based bioplastics. (20th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jiménez-Rosado, M.; Bouroudian, E.; Perez-Puyana, V.; Guerrero, A.; Romero, A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 262(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-07-20
• Subjects: Soy bioplastic -- Pea bioplastic -- Mold temperature -- Dehydrothermal treatment -- Ultrasounds; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121517
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: The bioplastics manufactured are still not competitive compared to conventional plastics, due to their higher price and poor mechanical properties. For this purpose, different physical strengthening methods have been studied to evaluate the reinforcement of soy protein-based bioplastics: mold temperature increase (from 70 °C to 130 °C), as the application of a dehydrothermal (4 and 24 h at 50 °C) or ultrasound (for 5 and 45 min at 20 kHz) treatment. In this sense, the crosslinking degree, the mechanical properties, water uptake measurements and scanning electron micrographs of the different bioplastics were compared. The results conclude that suitable processing conditions and post-treatments could favor some characteristics of bioplastics (such as maximum stress (∼5 times) or strain at break (∼3 times)), although worsening others (such as water uptake capacity (∼50%)). Specifically, thermal treatments improved the mechanical properties of the structures obtained, whereas the ultrasound treatment leads to the formation of a structure with smaller pores. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Protein-based bioplastics are a promising alternative to conventional plastics. Properties of bioplastics can be tuned by performing changes in the process. High mold temperatures improve the mechanical properties of bioplastics. Dehydrothermal step improves mechanical properties but no their absorbent capacity. Ultrasound treatment changes the structure of bioplastic worsening their properties.