Lignin-Based Polyethylene Films with Enhanced Thermal, Opacity and Biodegradability Properties for Agricultural Mulch Ap
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ORIGINAL PAPER
Lignin‑Based Polyethylene Films with Enhanced Thermal, Opacity and Biodegradability Properties for Agricultural Mulch Applications Lucio R. Chiappero1 · Suellen S. Bartolomei2 · Diana A. Estenoz3 · Esperidiana A. B. Moura2 · Verónica V. Nicolau1,4 Accepted: 12 September 2020 © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract Lignins are promising alternative raw materials for biocomposites due to their renewability, low cost and abundance. In this work, the use of (softwood and hardwood) Kraft lignins in the development of LLDPE/lignin films for agricultural mulch applications is studied. Processable blends were obtained from unmodified softwood lignin (SW) and from hardwood lignin modified by esterification (HWE). LLDPE was pelletized with (2.5%, 5% and 10%) lignin with particle size between 38 and 75 μm and flexible films were blown extruded. Processable extrusion blends showed temperature differences lower than 20 °C between the Tg of lignin and the melting temperature of LLPDE. Films from neat LLPDE and with 2.5% of HWE and up to 5% SW exhibited statistically comparable (≅ 349%) values of ductility. Ester groups present in lignin improve weight loss of lignin-based blends after soil buried test. Keywords Kraft lignin · Mulch films · Extrusion · Esterification · Blends
Introduction Plastic mulch film is a standard practice used in agriculture to control weeds, increase crop yield, and shorten time to harvest [1]. Most mulch films are currently produced from petroleum-based plastics, usually polyethylene (PE). Low density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) are mostly used in film production because of their high tear and impact strength [2]. Both are strong and flexible and have good transparency, moisture and gas barrier properties [3]. The long chain branching
* Verónica V. Nicolau [email protected] 1
GPol, Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Facultad Regional San Francisco, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, Av. de la Universidad 501, San Francisco, Córdoba, Argentina
2
Center for Chemical and Environmental Technology (CQMA), Nuclear and Energy Research Institute (IPEN), Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 2242, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
3
Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico Para la Industria Química, INTEC (UNL-CONICET), Güemes 3450, Santa Fe, SF, Argentina
4
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, CABA, Argentina
and the narrower molecular weight distribution of LDPE determine its greater transparency, gloss and better processability; whereas LLDPE has greater tensile and impact strength, better heat-seal properties, and lower cost. Films can be manufactured by extrusion, casting or blowing processes. The main advantage of blown films are their biaxial properties [4]. In order to reduce costs and/or improve some properties, particles such as calcium carbonate, silica and glass are added in thermoplastics. The size of the filler, the interfacial adhesion filler-matrix a
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