RAHUL SEN

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Recent advancement and need of Bioplastics & Biocomposites over

Petroleum based plastics- A review

Rahul Sen*Asst.Professor, Dept of Mechanical Engg, Poornima College of Engineering, Jaipur

*

Contact Author: [email protected],[email protected]

Abstract

Plastics (petroleum based)are treated as unique and

versatile materials since the properties of` these

materials can be tailored to get specific demands by

varying their molecular weight, molecular weight

distribution and side chain branching. Due to their versatile properties, they have become the

extensively used materials. But they are not

biodegradable due to which their waste creates lot

problems and pollution in the environment.

Bioplastics are good option for such problems, butthey have limited mechanical properties. So in thistime, there is a great need of such materials which

are durable, have good corrosion resistance, light

weighted, better mechanical properties than the

traditional ones. At the same time the material

should be environment friendly and bio-

degradable. In this paper we have discussed nature,

properties, application of plastics and problems in

environment due to use of petroleum based

plastics. Highlighted how and why bioplastics and

biocomposites are better than conventional

petroleum based plastics. Also shown the

limitations of bioplastics which are overcame by biocomposites and discussed the recent

advancement in biocomposites as useable in

various domestic and industrial applications

Keywords: Plastics, Bio-degradable, Bioplastics,Biocomposites

1 Introduction

Plastics are very versatile and have a range of

properties; for example, they are relatively cheap,

light and easily processed, which has led to their

widespread use. In many cases they can be tailored

to have good durability and functionality thatcannot be easily or economically replaced by other

materials .Although petroleum-based plastics fulfill

a multitude of uses, their extended use presents twomajor issues. Firstly, it is predicted that global oil

reserves will eventually decline and therefore

alternative methods to produce plastic products

must be pursued. Secondly, petroleum-based

plastics that are used for bulk-commodity products

are non-biodegradable and present numerous wastedisposal issues that result in a number of

environmental problems [1]. Ecological concerns

have resulted in a renewed interest in natural and

compostable materials, and therefore issues such as biodegradability and environmental safety are

becoming important. Tailoring new products within

a perspective of sustainable development or eco-

design is a philosophy that is applied to more and

more materials. It is the reason why material

components such as biocomposites (green

composites) and biodegradable polymers can beconsidered as „interesting‟ environmentally safe

alternatives to the petroleum plastics [2]

2. Literature Review

2.1 PlasticsPlastics are a vital asset for humanity, often

providing functionality that cannot be easily or

economically replaced by other materials. Most

plastics are robust and last for hundreds of years.

They have replaced metals in the components of

most manufactured goods, including for such

products as computers, car parts and refrigerators,

and in so doing have often made the products

cheaper, lighter, safer, stronger and easier to

recycle. Plastics have taken over from paper, glass

and cardboard in packaging, usually initial cost and

maintenance, while also providing better care of

the items that they protect. But we all know aboutthe counterbalancing disadvantages. Plastic litter

disfigures the oceans and the coastlines. Ingestion

of plastic kills marine creatures and fish. Perhaps

5% of the world‟s cumulative output of plastic

since 1945 has ended up in the oceans. Shopping bags and other packaging are strewn across the

streets and fields of every country in the world.

• Plastics use valuable resources of oil

•The plastics industry uses large amounts of

energy, usually from fossil fuel sources which

therefore adds to the world‟s production of

greenhouse gases.

•The durability of plastics means that withouteffective and ubiquitous recycling we will see

continuing pressure on landfill. Although plastics

do not represent the largest category of materialsentering landfill – a position held by construction

waste – they are a highly visible contributor to the

problems of waste disposal.

•The manufacturing of conventional plastics uses

substantial amounts of toxic chemicals.

•Some plastics leach small amounts of pollutants,including endocrine disruptors, into the

environment. These chemicals can have severe

effects on animals and humans. (The solution to

this problem is to avoid using original rawmaterials - either monomers or plasticizers -that

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might produce such compounds when the plastic is

in use or has been discarded).

The world needs to find a solution that gives us

continued access to plastics but avoids these

serious problems [3].

2.2 Bioplastic

A bioplastic is a plastic that is made partly or wholly from polymers derived from biological

sources such as sugar cane, potato starch or thecellulose from trees, straw and cotton. Bioplastics -

partly or wholly made from biological materials

and not crude oil - represent an effective way of

keeping the huge advantages of conventional

plastics but mitigating their disadvantages.. Some

bioplastics degrade in the open air, others are madeso that they compost in an industrial composting

plant, aided by fungi, bacteria and enzymes. Others

mimic the robustness and durability of

conventional plastics such as polyethylene or PET.

Bioplastics can generally be directly substituted for their oil-based equivalent. Indeed, they cangenerally be made to be chemically identical to the

standard industrial plastics [3]

Disadvantage of Bioplastics

Bio-degradable polymers have very low strength

and ductility which affect its area of applications.

Alternative to conventional plastics , biodegradable

plastics, such as polylactic acid (PLA), have been

developed. A drawback to such materials is that

they are brittle and currently expensive due to

processing techniques. Bio-degradable polymers

are not very stable at high temperatures. Complex

disadvantages include- brittleness in the absence of suitable plasticizers, hydrophilic nature and poor

water resistance, deterioration of mechanical

properties upon exposure to environmental

conditions like humidity. [4]

Need of high strength Bio degradable materialsDue to environment and sustainability issues, and

with durability need, there is a great demand for

materials which good strength to weight ratio, high

corrosion or wear resistance as well as environment

friendly in nature which leads to the research on

Bio composites

2.3 Biocomposite

Biocomposites are composite materials comprisingone or more phase(s) derived from a biological

origin. In terms of the reinforcement, this could

include plant fibres such as cotton, flax, hemp andthe like, or fibres from recycled wood or waste

paper, or even by-products from food crops.

Regenerated cellulose fibres (viscose/rayon) are

also included in this definition, since ultimately

they too come from a renewable resource, as are

natural „nano fibrils‟ of cellulose and chitin.Matrices may be polymers, ideally derived from

renewable resources such as vegetable oils or

starches. Alternatively, and more commonly at the

present time, synthetic, fossil-derivedpolymers preponderate and may be either „virgin‟ or recycled

thermoplastics such as polyethylene,

polypropylene, polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride,

or thermosets such as unsaturated polyesters,

phenol formaldehyde, isocyanates and epoxies.[5]

Classification of Bio Composites

Bio Composite mainly classified as in Table2 as:

Bio-fiber being biodegradable and traditional

thermoplastics (like polypropylene)/ thermosets

(like unsaturated polyester) being non-

biodegradable; the bio-composites from such fiber reinforced polymer come under “Partial

biodegradable” type. If the matrix resin/polymer is

biodegradable, the bio-fiber reinforced bio-polymer

composites would come under “Completely

biodegradable” type. Two or more bio-fibers incombination on reinforcement with polymer matrix

results “hybrid” bio-composites. The purpose of

hybrid composites is to the manipulation of

properties of the resulting bio-composites.Bio-

composite consists of reinforcing bio-fibers and

matrix polymer system

The reinforcement/filler

Fibers provide strength and stiffness and act as

reinforcement in fibre-reinforced composite

materials; ultimately the properties of a composite

are governed by the inherent properties of these

fibres. Natural fibres can be subdivided into

vegetable, animal and mineral fibresClassification of biofibers

.

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Limitations of Bio-Composites

Biocomposites have some limitations also like,

moisture absorption and photochemical

degradation because of the UV radiations, but they

can be modified and used with addition suitable

plasticizers and adhesives, according to the area of

application. 3.1 Application and advancement

i) In AutomobilesAutomakers now see strong promise in natural

fiber composites (bio composites or green

composites). Natural fiber like Hemp has higher

strength to weight ratio than steel and is also

considerably cheaper to produce. Natural fiber

composites are emerging as a realistic alternative toglass-reinforced composites. While they can

deliver the same performance for lower weight,

they can also be 25-30 percent stronger for the

same weight. Moreover, they exhibit a favorable

non-brittle fracture on impact, which is another important requirement in the passenger compartment.

Comparison with other materials in automobile

The main motivation of using natural/bio-based

composites is the low cost, low density (~ ½ of

glass), acceptable specific strength properties,

enhanced energy recovery, CO2 sequesterization,

and biodegradability. Auto companies are seeking

materials with sound abatement capability as well

as reduced weight for fuel efficiency. It is

estimated that ~75% of a vehicle‟s energy

consumption is directly related to factors associated

with vehicle‟s weight, and it identifies as criticalthe need to produce safe and cost-effective light-

weight vehicles. To reduce vehicle weight; a shift

away from steel alloys towards aluminum, plastics

and composites has predicted that in near future

polymer and polymer composites will comprise~15% of a car weight (6).

ii) In Construction

Biocomposites are structural materials made from

renewable resources that biodegrade in an

anaerobic environment after their useful service life

to produce a fuel or feedstock to produce a

biopolymer for a new generation of composites.

These materials are being researched anddeveloped to replace less eco-friendly structural

and non-structural materials used in the

construction industry.

Industrial Flooring, Composite Panel

Wood fiber bio-composites are used in making in

industrial floorings, surface board sand card boards

and composite panels. These byproducts are

utilized as, deck, dock surface boards, landscape

timbers, picnic tables and industrial flooring.Potential applications for biocomposites within

buildings include framing, walls and wallboard,

window frames, doors, flooring, decorative

paneling, cubicle walls and ceiling panels. In

construction, biocomposites could be used for

formwork and scaffolding, for instance.[7]

Roof-structure

Bio-based composite materials have been

manufactured and tested for suitable building of

roof structures. Structural beams made up of

different type of bio composites have beencontinuously used, designed and manufactured in

place of conventional roof panels or full wood roof surfaces for e.g. roof structure at colder areas may

be manufactured by using soya oil based resins

and cellulose fibers, in form of paper sheets which

are made from recycled cardboard. These bio-

sourced flax/epoxy resin sections are appropriate

for window and door fabrication, passive housesand very low-energy-consumption homes. They are

much cheap and light weighted, thermally and

electrically insulating in comparison to that of

conventional PVC and aluminum made window

sections. For e.g. many manufacturers use woodfiber made biocomposites as an alternative for aluminum and solid wood in protective and

insulating components [].

Bridge Making

Stay-in-place bridge forms (SIP) are utilized to

span the distance between bridge girders. The SIP

forms made from Biocomposites have many

benefits in comparison to steel forms.

Biocomposite-based SIP forms are porous or

breathable. Therefore, this lets water to evaporate

through the form and to avoid any rebar corrosion.

A bio-based form has the potential to break down

in the future, allowing underside inspection of the bridge deck. In addition, the form is lighter

compared to a steel form, allowing faster and

cheaper installations [8].

Fiber Cement

Among the different types of fibers used in cement- based composites, natural fibers offer distinct

advantages such as availability, renewability, low

cost, and current manufacturing technologies. One

promising and often-used natural fiber is wood

pulp. Wood pulp fiber-cement composites offer

numerous advantages when compared to both non-

fiber-reinforced cement materials as well as other

fiber-reinforced cement-based materials. Fiber-cement composites exhibit improved toughness,

ductility, flexural capacity, and crack resistance as

compared to non-fiber reinforced cement-basedmaterials. Today, pulp fiber-cement composites can

be found in products such as extruded non-pressure

pipes and non-structural building materials, mainly

thin-sheet products. Fiber cement composite

products can be made use of in exterior and interior

of a building such as roofing, internal lining siding,floors, walls, external cladding, building boards,

bracing, fencing, bricks and decorative elements.

Fiber cement is also used in construction works

such as dams, bridge decks, road building,sidewalk, flagstone paving, and so on [9].

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iii) Biomedical application

Biodegradable polymers have been widely used

and have greatly promoted the development of

biomedical fields because of their biocompatibility

and biodegradability. The development of

biotechnology and medical technology has set

higher requirements for biomedical materials. Thegeneral criteria of polymer materials used for

medical devices include mechanical properties anda degradation time appropriate to the medical

purpose. In addition, the materials should not evoke

toxic or immune responses, and they should be

metabolized in the body after fulfilling their tasks

.In general synthetic polymers and metal alloys are

used in medical applications which the researchersare now trying to replace by biomaterials. Below

the table shows different type of synthetics

polymers used in medical application [10]

Orthopedic devicesOrthopedic devices made from biodegradable

materials have advantages over metal or non-

degradable materials. They can transfer stress over

time to the damaged area as it heals, allowing of

the tissues, and there is no need of a second surgery

to remove the implanted devices. Manycommercial orthopedic fixation devices such as

pins and rods for bone fracture fixation, and screws

and plates for maxillofacial repair are made of

PLLA, poly(glycolide) and other biodegradable

polymers[10,11]

Gene Delivery

Polyphosphoester-based degradable polymers PPE-

based degradable polymers such as PPA, PPE and

polyphosphazene (PPZ) are known to be

biodegradable and biocompatible in gene delivery.

Biodegradable microparticle-based polymers suchas poly[d,l-(lactide-co-glycolide)] are commonly

used for gene delivery systems. Poly[D,L-(lactide-

co-glycolide)] is able to interact with DNA to form

DNA-coated particles,which protects DNA from

nuclease attacks and promotese delivery into cells

Other medical devicesBiodegradable polymers have also been used to

prepare anastomosis rings used for intestinal

resection,drug delivery devices, in situ forming

implants and stents used in urology [11]iv) Packaging Industry

Bioplastics and biocomposites are largely being

used in packaging industry , due to their light

weight and degradable nature. The different bulk

packaging systems where they are generally used

as: Metal packaging (steel drums and barrels, large

cans) ,rigid plastic packaging (Plastic barrels,

IBCs, large bottles) , flexible packaging systems(Sacks, woven sacks, FIBCs, films for stretch

wrapping, shrink wrapping) ,paper-based

packaging (corrugated fiberboard, multiwall layer

sacks, fiber drums), bag-in-box and bag-in-drum

systems , aseptic bulk packaging wooden

packaging (pallets and cases) . Due to biological

biodegradability the use of bioplastics is especially popularizing in the packaging sector. The use of

bioplastics for shopping bags is very common.

Certain characteristics of bioplastics- such as their

aroma barrier and ease of molding make them

particularly suitable for use with cosmetics and are

continually being developed to make bioplastics better alternatives for such packaging. PLA offers

good-moisture barrier properties and is able to

withstand the rigors of injection-moulding and

blow- or vacuum-forming processes. It is used for

loose fill packaging food packaging. PLA has

similar characteristics as cellophane, oriented polypropylene (OPP) or oriented polyethylene

(OPE). Its performance include high clarity and

gloss and high stiffness. Bottles made from PLA

can show characteristics similar to PET. Its

containers are rigid, strong and have high aroma

barrier suitable to pack cold delis items such as

fruit, pasta, salads and cheese. PHA's can beincorporated into packaging components such as

coatings, laminations and biodegradable printing

inks. It is currently being considered for flexible

packaging.

Conclusion

Plastics are very useful materials in human life, and

used in many forms. Due to their degree of

versatility, have many advantages and applications,

due to which they have become most dependentmaterial for the human society. But these are made

from petroleum, which itself is very crucial, non

renewable source. Plastics wastes creates many problems and pollution in the environment , so it

necessary for to find the materials with similar or

near about properties so as to fulfill the demands of human society with minimum pollution.

Bioplastics shown wide range of properties and

application where in general the conventional

petroleum based plastics are used. Bioplastics are

made from plants, they have environment friendly

processing, easy to manufacture, easily degradable

by micro organisms and cheaper in cost.

Bioplastics find their applications in packaging

industries, used for making kitchen appliances,

house hold items, bags, disposals etc. Bioplasticshave limited mechanical properties, which are

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overcome by bio-composites. They have better

physical and mechanical properties and widened

area of application, reducing carbon dioxide

emission, and generating more economical

opportunities for the agricultural sector.

Furthermore, Biocomposites offer opportunities for

environmental gains, reduced energy consumption,insulation and sound absorption properties. They

have replaced many materials like wood, metalsand alloys, plastics in many application like house

hold items like doors, windows, roofs, furniture‟s

etc. and with research widening its area day by day.

So , Biocomposites and bioplastics in general are

used in many day today life materials either in

domestics items like kitchen utensils, cateringitems, carpets, table, chairs, beds, doors, windows

panels , partition boards as well as at industrial

level like automobile interior parts, as building and

construction materials , medical industry

,packaging industries etc.

4 Refrences

[1] Green composites: Polymer composites and the

environment, Chapter 13- Reprocessing, pp 3; 2007

[2] Biocomposites based on plasticized starch:

thermal and mechanical behaviors L.Averousa,,N.

Boquillon; Carbohydrate Polymers pp1; 2004

[3] THE WHITE PAPER SEPTEMBER 2011,

Biome Bioplastics, Bioplastics: an importantcomponent of global sustainability, pp 1 Author:

Chris Good all , [email protected]

[4] “ Green” Composites: An alternative to

petroleum-based materials; Author-LaDean M.Cooley, Kenyon College, Cornell Center for

Materials Research; pp 1, 2008

[5] Review Biocomposites: technology,

environmental credentials and market forces; Paul

A Fowler, J Mark Hughes and Robert M Elias,

Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture J

Sci Food Agric 86:1781 – 1789; 2006

[6] Bio-Composite Materials as alternatives to

Petroleum-based composites for Automotiveapplications; Lawrence T. Drzal, A. K. Mohanty,

M. Misra, Composite Materials and Structures

Center, pp1-8; 2005

[7] Sustainable Biocomposites for Construction;

Sarah Christian, Sarah Billington StanfordUniversity; COMPOSITES & POLYCON 2009,

American Composites Manufacturers

Association,January 15-17, 2009

[8] Yatim.M.J, Khalid.N.H.B.Abd, Mehjoub.R.

(2011), “Biocomposites for the construction

materials and structures”, review paper,pp1-29

[9] B.J. Mohr, N.H. El-Ashkar, and K.E. Kurtis,

Fiber-Cement Composites for housing

construction: State-of-the-Art Review, pp2;2006

[10] Biodegradable synthetic polymers:Preparation, fictionalization and biomedical

application; Huayu Tian, Zhaohui Tang, Xiuli

Zhuang, Xuesi Chen, Xiabin Jing.; J Elsevier,

Progress in Polymer Science pp 266-267;(2012)

[11] Biocomposites reinforced with natural fibers:

2000–2010; Omar Faruka, Andrzej K. Bledzki,

Hans-Peter Fink, Mohini Sain; J Elsevier, Progress

in Polymer Science 37 (2012) 1552 – 1596

Application of bioplastics in bulk packaging: A

revolutionary and sustainable approach; Ambrish pandey, Pankaj Kumar, Vikas singh, 2012

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