Biodegradability of Polymer Composites with Natural Fibers

This project addresses the valorization of banana byproducts (Musa paradisiaca), specifically fibers extracted from rachis and pseudostems, to mitigate plastic pollution. The central objective is to enhance the degradability of common polymers (PCL, PET, PAN) by incorporating banana fiber at various dosages. The methodology involves collecting and preparing the fiber, followed by proximal chemical analyses (Weende, Wijkstrom, Van Soest methods) to characterize cellulose and lignin. Chemical processes, such as treatment with sulfuric acid and acetic anhydride, will be used for lignin extraction and modification to increase reactive sites. Cellulose will be obtained via basic hydrolysis. Subsequently, composites will be formulated using triangular dosing schemes (polymer-cellulose, polymer-lignin, and polymer-cellulose-lignin). The properties of these biocomposites will be assessed using basic mechanical tests and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) to analyze enthalpic values. Finally, degradation methods (DSC, hydrolytic, and microbial biodegradation) will be compared to determine the most effective strategy for achieving the desired biodegradability.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>To compare various dosages of banana fiber with polymers such as polycaprolactone (PCL), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyacrylonitrile (PAN), using chemical and physical processes, with the main goal of increasing the degradability of the resulting composite materials.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Biodiversity and genetic resources