Newspaper fiber-reinforced thermoplastic starch biocomposites obtained by melt processing: Evaluation of the mechanical, thermal and water sorption properties

Fully biodegradable composites were obtained by melt processing of thermoplastic starch (TPS) reinforced with cellulosic fibers obtained from recovered newspaper up to 30 wt%. The influence of reinforcement content on the mechanical, thermal and water sorption properties were evaluated. In addition, it has been evaluated the effect caused by the incorporation of the biodegradable poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT)) with content varying from 0 to 30 wt% based on the thermoplastic matrix. The materials were characterized by mechanical tests dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and water absorption tests. Mechanical testing evidenced that fibers from recovered newspaper acted effectively as reinforcement, increasing the tensile strength and the Young's modulus of TPS. The incorporation of the highly hydrophobic biodegradable PBAT to the composite formulations caused a sharp decrease in the water uptake of the composites. However, even though PBAT has a higher tensile strength than TPS, its incorporation failed to strengthen the materials.

► Composites were obtained by melt processing thermoplastic starch (TPS) with fibers from recovered newspaper.
► Influence of reinforcement and PBAT content on the mechanical, thermal and water sorption properties were evaluated.
► Recovered newspaper fibers acted as reinforcing agent, increasing the strength and Young's modulus of composites.
► Addition of PBAT caused a sharp decrease in water uptake but failed to strengthen the composites.