The Use of Glasswort (Salicornia europaea) in High Density Polyethylene Composites

Abstract

In pursuit of new biobased materials for a sustainable world, glasswort (Salicornia europaea) was utilized in this study as a natural fiber to develop a biocomposite material. Glasswort (GW) reinforced high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites at different GW percentages were prepared with a high-speed thermo-kinetic mixer. The effect of GW on HDPE composites was thoroughly investigated with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, tensile and flexural tests, dynamic mechanical analysis, water contact angle measurements, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A new method was also developed by seawater immersion of samples to conduct microbiological analysis. The method included bacteria population count with respect to time. Biointegration was reported to increase as 25% for 20 wt% GW-filled HDPE. The tensile modulus of HDPE increased up to 20% with GW inclusion. The unique properties of this novel composite material proved that GW can be a promising natural fiber for polymer composites.

Keywords

• biocomposite
• glasswort
• high density polyethylene
• mechanical properties
• biointegration