Rheological measurements. This new process to modify MC and acquire PHB
Rheological measurements. This new system to modify MC and obtain PHB/MC composites with far more balanced stiffness oughness properties may very well be a resolution towards the high brittleness and poor processability of PHB-based supplies. Key phrases: microfibrillated cellulose; polymethacrylic acid; grafting; poly(3-hydroxybutyrate); biocomposites; compatibilityPublisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and UCB-5307 Inhibitor institutional affiliations.1. Introduction The poor disposal of waste combined using the wasteful mentality of humankind has led to well-known environmental difficulties. Currently, petroleum is used in everything that needs electrical energy [1], plus the dependence on petroleum-based plastics increases the demand for oil, which drags along an elevated want for energy, and so on. The focus of analysis in recent years has been to cut down this demand by exploring far more natural-based materials using the aim to replace classic, fossil-based plastics [2]. Promising final results have been obtained with poly-(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), an aliphatic microbial polyester that shows comparable mechanical and thermal properties to polypropylene with all the added bonuses of superior barrier properties and biodegradability [5]. It is biosynthesized by particular bacteriaCopyright: 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is definitely an open access write-up distributed beneath the terms and situations in the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/).Polymers 2021, 13, 3970. https://doi.org/10.3390/polymhttps://www.mdpi.com/journal/polymersPolymers 2021, 13,2 ofas a means of stocking power in nitrogen- and phosphorus-deficient conditions [6]. Nonetheless, in its pure form, PHB is very brittle at space temperature and has a low processing window, which limits its possibilities of application. Therefore, distinctive approaches for instance plasticization, melt blending with other polymers, copolymerization, and preparation of nanocomposites have already been studied to overcome these drawbacks [7]. The introduction of organic or inorganic fillers has established to be an desirable and versatile strategy to boost the performances of PHB. Quite a few reinforcing agents have been incorporated into PHB for improving its properties, for instance (nano)clays [8], carbon nanotubes [9], graphene [10], and Goralatide Data Sheet cellulosic components [11]. Cellulose is among the most abundant and studied components on the planet and can be obtained in many sizes and shapes [12]. It may be extracted from a range of sources, for instance wood and plants, and may be biosynthesized by some bacterial strands as extracellular material [13]. Its versatility with regards to geometry, from (nano)fibers to (nano)particles, and its sources allows cellulose to be employed in countless applications. Cellulose microand nanofillers have been utilized to enhance the thermal and mechanical properties of PHB [11,14,15]. A massive situation within the case of PHB ellulose composites is the poor compatibility in between the matrix and the filler as a result of hydrophobic nature of PHB as well as the robust hydrophilicity of cellulosic fillers [16]. The solutions attempted so far to enhance this compatibility, for example the remedy of cellulose fillers by acetylation, silylation, and TEMPO-mediated or plasma oxidation, have led to some improvement in PHB properties [179]. Reactive extrusion has also been applied to improve the adhesion in the PHB ellulose interface, leading to a moderate enhancement of mech.