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Reprocessability of PHB in extrusion: ATR-FTIR, tensile tests and thermal studies

  • Leonardo Fábio Rivas,
  • Suzan Aline Casarin,
  • Neymara Cavalcante Nepomuceno,
  • Marie Isabele Alencar,
  • José Augusto Marcondes Agnelli,
  • Eliton Souto de Medeiros,
  • Alcides de Oliveira Wanderley Neto,
  • Maurício Pinheiro de Oliveira,
  • Antônio Marcos de Medeiros,
  • Amélia Severino Ferreira e Santos

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-1428.2406
Journal volume & issue
no. 0

Abstract

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Abstract Mechanical recycling of biodegradable plastics has to be encouraged, since the consumption of energy and raw materials can be reduced towards a sustainable development in plastics materials. In this study, the evolution of thermal and mechanical properties, as well as structural changes of poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) up to three extrusion cycles were investigated. Results indicated a significant reduction in mechanical properties already at the second extrusion cycle, with a reduction above 50% in the third cycle. An increase in the crystallinity index was observed due to chemicrystallization process during degradation by chain scission. On the other hand, significant changes in the chemical structure or in thermal stability of PHB cannot be detected by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), respectively.

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