Characterisation, biodegradability and application of palm fibre-reinforced polyhydroxyalkanoate composites

The biodegradability, mechanical properties and fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) printing filaments of composite materials made from maleic anhydride-grafted polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA-g-MA) and coupling agent-treated palm fibre (TPF) were evaluated. Composites of PHA-g-MA and TPF (PHA-g-MA/TPF) exhibited noticeably superior tensile strength and interfacial adhesion compared with those of PHA/PF because of a greater compatibility of PHA-g-MA with TPF. The dispersion of TPF in the PHA-g-MA matrix was highly homogeneous as a result of condensation reactions. The water resistance of the PHA-g-MA/TPF membranes was greater than that of the PHA/PF membranes, and a cell viability evaluation with human foreskin fibroblasts (FBs) indicated that both materials were nontoxic. Additionally, the weight loss of composites buried in soil compost indicated that the biodegradation rate can be enhanced with the increase of the PF or TPF content.