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Reinforcement of Soy Protein-Based Bioplastics Through Addition of Lignocellulose and Injection Molding Processing Conditions

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Abstract

Bioplastics have gained great interest in recent years as a potential alternative to conventional plastics, since they are renewable and biodegradable materials. However, their mechanical properties are not able to match those of conventional plastics yet. In this context, the incorporation of additives to improve those properties of bioplastics is an interesting line of research. The aim of this work was to develop soy protein-based bioplastics with lignocellulosic fiber (additive) by injection molding. Mechanical and absorption properties of bioplastics reinforced with lignocellulose (0.1, 1.0, 5.0 wt%) have been studied, as well as their microstructure. Furthermore, a study of the effect produced by changing the mold temperature (70, 90, 110, 130 °C) was carried out. The results obtained confirm an improvement of the mechanical properties of these bioplastics, depending on the amount of fiber incorporated. In any case, these findings support the role of cellulosic compounds as additives in protein bioplastics.

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Acknowledgements

This work is part of a Research Project sponsored by the Spanish Government “Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad” by the Grant Ref. CTQ2015-71164-P. The authors gratefully acknowledge their financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Escuela Politécnica Superior, Universidad de Sevilla, 41011, Seville, Spain

    S. Gamero, M. Jiménez-Rosado, C. Bengoechea & A. Guerrero

  2. Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Facultad de Física, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012, Seville, Spain

    A. Romero

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  1. S. Gamero
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Correspondence to M. Jiménez-Rosado.

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Gamero, S., Jiménez-Rosado, M., Romero, A. et al. Reinforcement of Soy Protein-Based Bioplastics Through Addition of Lignocellulose and Injection Molding Processing Conditions. J Polym Environ 27, 1285–1293 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-019-01430-1

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