Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), a bio-based polyester, has been extensively investigated in the recent past owing to its excellent mechanical properties. Several studies have been conducted on PLA blends, with a focus on improving the brittleness of PLA to ensure its suitability for various applications. However, the increasing use of PLA has increased the contamination of PLA-based products in the environment because PLA remains intact even after three years at sea or in soil. This review focuses on analyzing studies that have worked on improving the degradation properties of PLA blends and studies how other additives affect degradation by considering different degradation media. Factors affecting the degradation properties, such as surface morphology, water uptake, and crystallinity of PLA blends, are highlighted. In natural, biotic, and abiotic media, water uptake plays a crucial role in determining biodegradation rates. Immiscible blends of PLA with other polymer matrices cause phase separation, increasing the water absorption. The susceptibility of PLA to hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation is high in the amorphous region because it can be easily penetrated by water. It is essential to study the morphology, water absorption, and structural properties of PLA blends to predict the biodegradation properties of PLA in the blends.
The current research discusses the development of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and poly-(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) reinforced nanocrystalline cellulose bionanocomposites. The nanocrystalline cellulose was derived from waste oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber by acid hydrolysis process. The resulting nanocrystalline cellulose suspension was then surface functionalized by TEMPO-mediated oxidation and solvent exchange process. Furthermore, the PLA/PHBV/nanocrystalline cellulose bionanocomposites were produced by solvent casting method. The effect of the addition of nanocrystalline cellulose on structural, morphology, mechanical and barrier properties of bionanocomposites was investigated. The results revealed that the developed bionanocomposites showed improved mechanical properties and decrease in oxygen permeability rate. Therefore, the developed bio-based composite incorporated with an optimal composition of nanocrystalline cellulose exhibits properties as compared to the polymer blend.
Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is a type of biopolymer produced by most bacteria and archaea, resembling thermoplastic with biodegradability and biocompatibility features. Here, we report the complete genome of a PHA producer, Aquitalea sp. USM4, isolated from Perak, Malaysia. This bacterium possessed a 4.2 Mb circular chromosome and a 54,370 bp plasmid. A total of 4067 predicted protein-coding sequences, 87 tRNA genes, and 25 rRNA operons were identified using PGAP. Based on ANI and dDDH analysis, the Aquitalea sp. USM4 is highly similar to Aquitalea pelogenes. We also identified genes, including acetyl-CoA (phaA), acetoacetyl-CoA (phaB), PHA synthase (phaC), enoyl-CoA hydratase (phaJ), and phasin (phaP), which play an important role in PHA production in Aquitalea sp. USM4. The heterologous expression of phaC1 from Aquitalea sp. USM4 in Cupriavidus necator PHB-4 was able to incorporate six different types of PHA monomers, which are 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB), 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV), 4-hydroxybutyrate (4HB), 5-hydroxyvalerate (5HV), 3-hydroxyhexanoate (3HHx) and isocaproic acid (3H4MV) with suitable precursor substrates. This is the first complete genome sequence of the genus Aquitalea among the 22 genome sequences from 4 Aquitalea species listed in the GOLD database, which provides an insight into its genome evolution and molecular machinery responsible for PHA biosynthesis.
Incorporating two different nanoparticles in nanocomposite films is promising as their synergistic effects could significantly enhance polymer performance. Our previous work conferred the remarkable antimicrobial (AM) properties of the polylactic acid (PLA)-based film using optimal formulations of synergistic graphene oxide (GO)/zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocomposites. This study further explores the release profile of GO/ZnO nanocomposite and their impact on the antimicrobial properties. A fixed 1.11 wt% GO and different ZnO concentrations were well dispersed in the PLA matrix. Increasing ZnO concentrations tended to increase agglomeration, as evident in rougher surfaces. Agglomeration inhibited water penetration, leading to a significant reduction in water permeability (46.3 %), moisture content (31.6 %) but an improvement in Young's Modulus (52.6 %). The overall and specific migration of GO/ZnO nanocomposites was found to be within acceptable limits. It is inferred that the release of Zn2+ ions followed pseudo-Fickian behavior with an initial burst effect. AM film with the highest concentration of ZnO (1.25 wt%) exhibited the highest inhibition rate against Escherichia coli (68.0 %), Bacillus cereus (66.5 %), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (70.9 %). Results suggest that GO/ZnO nanocomposites with optimal ZnO concentrations have the potential to serve as promising antimicrobial food packaging materials, offering enhanced barrier, antimicrobial properties and a controlled release system.
Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P(3HB)), a member of the polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) family, is a biodegradable polyester with diverse industrial applications. NADPH-dependent acetoacetyl-CoA reductase (phaB) is the enzyme which plays an essential role in P(3HB) synthesis by catalyzing the conversion of the intermediates. The expression of phaB enzyme using the recombinant Escherichia coli BL-21(DE3) and the purification of the synthesized enzyme were studied. The pET-B3 plasmid harbouring the phaB gene derived from Ralstonia eutropha H16, was driven by the lac promoter in E. coli BL-21(DE3). The enzyme was expressed with different induction time, temperatures and cell age. Results showed that the cell age of 4 h, induction time of 12 h at 37°C were identified as the optimal conditions for the enzyme reductase expression. A specific activity of 0.151 U mg-1 protein and total protein concentration of 0.518 mg mg-1 of dry cell weight (DCW) were attained. Affinity chromatography was performed to purify the His-tagged phaB enzyme, in which enhanced the specific activity (14.44 U mg-1) and purification fold (38-fold), despite relative low yield (44.6%) of the enzyme was obtained. The purified phaB showed an optimal enzyme activity at 30°C and pH 8.0. The findings provide an alternative for the synthesis of the reductase enzyme which can be used in the industrial-scale production of the biodegradable polymers.
This work represents a study to investigate the mechanical properties of longitudinal basalt/woven-glass-fiber-reinforced unsaturated polyester-resin hybrid composites. The hybridization of basalt and glass fiber enhanced the mechanical properties of hybrid composites. The unsaturated polyester resin (UP), basalt (B) and glass fibers (GF) were fabricated using the hand lay-up method in six formulations (UP, GF, B7.5/G22.5, B15/G15, B22.5/G7.5 and B) to produce the composites, respectively. This study showed that the addition of basalt to glass-fiber-reinforced unsaturated polyester resin increased its density, tensile and flexural properties. The tensile strength of the B22.5/G7.5 hybrid composites increased by 213.92 MPa compared to neat UP, which was 8.14 MPa. Scanning electron microscopy analysis was used to observe the fracture mode and fiber pullout of the hybrid composites.
Correction for 'Functionalized fluorescent terephthalate monomers and their attempted polyester formation' by Yvonne S. L. Choo et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2020, 18, 8735-8745, DOI: 10.1039/D0OB01533D.
Efficient machining of the polyester nanocomposite components requires a better understanding of machinability characteristics of such material, which has become an urgent requirement for modern industrial production. In this research, the micro-milling of polyester/halloysite nano-clay (0.1, 0.3, 0.7, 1.0 wt%) nanocomposites were carried out and the outcomes in terms of tool wear, cutting force, the size effect, surface morphology, and surface roughness were compared with those for plain polyester. In order to accomplish the machining of the material in ductile mode, the required feed per tooth was found to be below 0.3 µm. The degree of surface breakage was also found to decrease in ductile mode. A maximum flank wear VB of 0.012 mm after removing 196 mm3 of workpiece material was measured.
A mathematical model for the reaction-diffusion equation is developed to describe the nutrient release profiles and degradation of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-coated controlled-release fertilizer. A multi-diffusion model that consists of coupled partial differential equations is used to study the diffusion and chemical reaction (autocatalytic degradation) simultaneously. The model is solved using an analytical-numerical method. Firstly, the model equation is transformed using the Laplace transformation as the Laplace transform cannot be inverted analytically. Numerical inversion of the Laplace transform is used by employing the Zakian method. The solution is useful in predicting the nutrient release profiles at various diffusivity, concentration of extraction medium, and reaction rates. It also helps in explaining the transformation of autocatalytic concentration in the coating material for various reaction rates, times of reaction, and reaction-multi diffusion. The solution is also applicable to the other biodegradable polymer-coated controlled-release fertilizers.
Natural fiber reinforced composites are recognized as better materials for structural components due to their inherent properties. However, milling these materials presents a number of problems, such as surface delamination, which appeared during the machining process, associated with the characteristics of the material and the cutting parameters. Therefore, in this study, machining parameters and the influence of the banana fibers under delamination were investigated. Result showed that machining parameters has a significance effect on the delamination of banana fiber reinforced polyester composites.
Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is a type of polyesters produced in the form of accumulated intracellular granules by many microorganisms. It is viewed as an environmentally friendly bioproduct due to its biodegradability and biocompatibility. The production of the PHA using oil substrates such as waste oil and plant oil, has gained considerable attention due to the high product yield and lower substrate cost. Nevertheless, the PHA fermentation using oil substrate is complicated due to the heterogenous fatty acid composition, varied bio-accessibility and possible inhibitory effect on the bacterial culture. This review presents the current state-of-the-art of PHA production from oil-based substrates. This paper firstly discusses the technical details, such as the choice of bacteria strain and fermentation conditions, characteristic of the oil substrate as well as the PHA composition and application. Finally, the paper discusses the challenges and prospects for up-scaling towards a cleaner and effective bioprocess. From the literature review, depending on the cell culture and the type of PHA produced, the oil platform can have a PHA yield of 0.2-0.8 g PHA/g oil substrate, with PHA content mostly from 40 to 90% of the cell dry weight. There is an on-going search for more effective oil-utilising PHA producers and lower cost substrate for effective PHA production. The final application of the PHA polymer influences the treatment needed during downstream processing and its economic performance. PHA with different compositions exhibits varied decomposition behaviour under different conditions, requiring further insight towards its management towards a sustainable circular economy.
Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a biodegradable polymer, synthesized as carbon and energy reserve by bacteria and archaea. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on PHB production by a rare actinomycete species, Rhodococcus pyridinivorans BSRT1-1. Response surface methodology (RSM) employing central composite design, was applied to enhance PHB production in a flask scale. A maximum yield of 3.6 ± 0.5 g/L in biomass and 43.1 ± 0.5 wt% of dry cell weight (DCW) of PHB were obtained when using RSM optimized medium, which was improved the production of biomass and PHB content by 2.5 and 2.3-fold, respectively. The optimized medium was applied to upscale PHB production in a 10 L stirred-tank bioreactor, maximum biomass of 5.2 ± 0.5 g/L, and PHB content of 46.8 ± 2 wt% DCW were achieved. Furthermore, the FTIR and 1H NMR results confirmed the polymer as PHB. DSC and TGA analysis results revealed the melting, glass transition, and thermal decomposition temperature of 171.8, 4.03, and 288 °C, respectively. In conclusion, RSM can be a promising technique to improve PHB production by a newly isolated strain of R. pyridinivorans BSRT1-1 and the properties of produced PHB possessed similar properties compared to commercial PHB.
Hollow epoxy particles (HEP) serving as reinforcing fillers were prepared using the water-based emulsion method in this study. HEP was incorporated into the polyester matrix at various loading, ranging from 0 wt% to 9 wt%, to toughen the brittle polyester thermoset. The polyester composites were prepared using the casting technique. The fracture toughness and impact strength of the polyester composites increased with increasing the HEP loading up to 5 wt%, after which
there was a drop. The improvement in fracture toughness and impact strength is attributed to the good polymer-filler interaction. This finding was further supported by the scanning electron micrograph, in which it was shown that the polyester resin was interlocked into the pore regions of the HEP filler. The reduction in fracture toughness and impact strength of the polyester composite were believed to be attributed to the filler agglomeration. This filler-filler interaction would create stress concentration areas and eventually weakened the interfacial adhesion between the polymer matrix and the filler particles. Hence, lower fracture toughness and impact strength of the highly HEP-filled polyester composites (above 5 wt%) were detected.
Pilling is one of the fabric faults that originally found in knitted woolen goods especially made from soft twisted yarns. The rubbing action on loose fibres that is present on the fabric surface gives a high tendency to form pills which gives poor appearance to the fabric. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of repeated launderings on the propensity of pilling formation by using pill grade machine. The primary objective of this study was to determine the pilling behaviour of different types of weft knitted fabrics after a repeated number of laundering cycles. The study was conducted using two types of knitted fabrics; cotton and polyester with three types of knitted structures; interlock, 1x1 rib and plain jersey. The various number of laundering cycles were given on the fabrics and followed by 15,000 revolutions of ICI pilling box. The results showed that polyester fibre has better pilling resistance due to its exceptional strength, whilst in terms of fabric structure, plain jersey showed an excellent resistance. This is due to the higher density and compact structure that it possessed.
The aim of this paper was to describe the effects of treated sugar palm yarn fibre loading on the mechanical properties
of reinforced unsaturated polyester composites. Composites with varying fibre loads (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 wt. %) were
prepared using a hand-layup process. The composites were tested for tensile, flexural and impact strength according to
ASTM D3930, ASTM D790 and ASTM D256 standards, respectively. The results showed that an increase in fibre loading
of up to 30 wt. % increased tensile strength (31.27 MPa), tensile modulus (4.83 GPa), flexural strength (58.14 MPa)
and modulus (4.48 GPa). Maximum loading can be attained at 40 wt. % of fibre loading for impact strength (38 kJ/
m2). The effectiveness of stress transfer mechanism through the fibre-matrix interaction, coupled with the optimization
of fibre loading in resisting fracture and failure, boosts the overall mechanical performance of sugar palm composite.
Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is a biogenic polymer that has the potential to substitute synthetic plastic in numerous applications. This is due to its unique attribute of being a biodegradable and biocompatible thermoplastic, achievable through microbial fermentation from a broad utilizable range of renewable resources. Among all the PHAs discovered, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB-co-4HB)] stands out as a next generation healthcare biomaterial for having high biopharmaceutical and medical value since it is highly compatible to mammalian tissue. This review provides a critical assessment and complete overview of the development and trend of P(3HB-co-4HB) research over the last few decades, highlighting aspects from the microbial strain discovery to metabolic engineering and bioprocess cultivation strategies. The article also outlines the relevance of P(3HB-co-4HB) as a material for high value-added products in numerous healthcare-related applications.
This study aimed to evaluate the bioactivities and biocompatibilities of porous polylactic acid (PLA) reinforced with cellulose nanofiber (CNF) scaffolds. The in vitro degradation behaviors of the porous PLA/CNF scaffolds were systematically measured for up to 8 weeks in a phosphate-buffered saline medium at 37 °C. The reinforcement of CNF resisted the biodegradation of the scaffolds. The in vitro cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of the scaffolds were determined using the Beas2B American Type Culture Collection cells. The 3-(4,5-cimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide cytotoxicity and proliferation tests showed that the scaffolds were non-toxic, and epithelial cells grew well on the scaffold after 7 days of culture, whereas the percentage of cell proliferation on the PLA/CNF15 scaffold was the largest, 130 %. A scratch wound-healing assay was performed to evaluate the suitability of the scaffolds for cell migration. The results demonstrated that the scaffolds exhibited good cell migration towards nearly complete wound closure.
The need to overcome the secondary surgery to remove implanted metal fixation plate leads to the idea of replacing the material with degradable bionanocomposite. In this research, polylactic acid/polypropylene (PLA/PPC) blends incorporated with halloysite nanotubes (HNT) (0-6 wt %) were considered as the candidate material for mandibular fixation plate. A single-factor design using Design Expert software was used to determine 20 different compositions of PLA/PPC/HNT nanocomposites and their mechanical properties were then measured. The optimization of the PLA/PPC/HNT nanocomposite composition was performed based on the nanocomposite's response to Young's modulus, tensile strength, and elongation at break. Further analysis suggested an optimum composition of 92.5/7.5 PLA/PPC with 6 wt % of HNT. The statistical results predicted that there was a 71.7% possibility that the proposed nanocomposite would have the following mechanical properties: Young's modulus of 2.18 GPa, a tensile strength of 64.16 MPa, and an elongation at break of 106.53%.
Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) [P(3HB-co-3HHx)] is a bacterial copolymer in the polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) family, a next-generation bioplastic. Our research team recently engineered a newly P(3HB-co-3HHx)-producing bacterial strain, Cupriavidus necator PHB-4/pBBR_CnPro-phaCRp. This strain can produce P(3HB-co-2 mol% 3HHx) using crude palm kernel oil (CPKO) as a sole carbon substrate. However, the improvement of P(3HB-co-3HHx) copolymer production by this strain has not been studied so far. Thus, this study aims to enhance the production of P(3HB-co-3HHx) copolymers containing higher 3HHx monomer compositions using response surface methodology (RSM). Three significant factors for P(3HB-co-3HHx) copolymers production, i.e., CPKO concentration, sodium hexanoate concentration, and cultivation time, were studied in the flask scale. As a result, a maximum of 3.6 ± 0.4 g/L of P(3HB-co-3HHx) with 4 mol% 3HHx compositions was obtained using the RSM optimized condition. Likewise, the higher 3HHx monomer composition (5 mol%) was obtained when scaling up the fermentation in a 10L-stirrer bioreactor. Furthermore, the produced polymer's properties were similar to marketable P(3HB-co-3HHx), making this polymer suitable for a wide range of applications.
Microplastic fibers from textiles have been known to significantly contribute to marine microplastic pollution. However, little is known about the microfiber formation and discharge during textile production. In this study, we have quantified microfiber emissions from one large and representative textile factory during different stages, spanning seven different materials, including cotton, polyester, and blended fabrics, to further guide control strategies. Wet-processing steps released up to 25 times more microfibers than home laundering, with dyeing contributing to 95.0% of the total emissions. Microfiber release could be reduced by using white coloring, a lower dyeing temperature, and a shorter dyeing duration. Thinner, denser yarns increased microfiber pollution, whereas using tightly twisted fibers mitigated release. Globally, wet textile processing potentially produced 6.4 kt of microfibers in 2020, with China, India, and the US as significant contributors. The study underlined the environmental impact of textile production and the need for mitigation strategies, particularly in dyeing processes and fiber choice. In addition, no significant difference was observed between the virgin polyesters and the used ones. Replacing virgin fibers with recycled fibers in polyester fabrics, due to their increasing consumption, might offer another potential solution. The findings highlighted the substantial impact of textile production on microfiber released into the environment, and optimization of material selection, knitting technologies, production processing, and recycled materials could be effective mitigation strategies.