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Evaluating distillers grains as bio-fillers for high-density polyethylene

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Abstract

Bio-composites are known to have poor properties. The reason is the absence of chemical bonding between bio-fillers and polymers. In this present study, we prepared composites with a bio-filler by melt blending distillers grains (DG) with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and modified HDPE (MHDPE), and compared the characteristics of the composites. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, mechanical property measurement, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, contact angle measuring instrument, and water absorption analysis were used to assess DG as a bio-filler. From the results of hydrophilicity measurement, water absorption, morphology, and tensile strength tests, MHDPE was found to have a better interfacial adhesion with DG. The yield strength and crystallinity of DG/MHDPE bio-composites with 50% DG were higher than those of pure HDPE. As DG improved the bio-composite performance, it would have broad application prospects as a bio-filler.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support from the following organizations: Wuliangye Group Co. Ltd. (CXY2019ZR001); Sichuan Province Science and Technology Support Program (2019JDRC0029); Zigong City Science and Technology (2017XC16; 2019CXRC01); Opening Project of Material Corrosion and Protection Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province (2016CL10; 2017CL03; 2019CL05; 2018CL08; 2018CL07); Opening Project of Sichuan Province, the Foundation of Introduced Talent of Sichuan University of Science and Engineering (2014RC31; 2017RCL31; 2017RCL36; 2017RCL16; 2019RC05; 2019RC07). Appreciation is also extended to the National Natural Science Foundation of China; Apex Nanotek Co. Ltd.; Ratchadapisek Sompote Fund for Postoctoral Fellowship (Chulalongkon University).

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  1. Yihua Wen and Chi-Hui Tsou contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Material Corrosion and Protection Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Zigong, 643000, China

    Yihua Wen, Chi-Hui Tsou, Chen Gao, Zujiang Tang, Zhujun Chen, Tao Yang, Juan Du, Yongqi Yu & Manuel Reyes De Guzman

  2. Sichuan Yibin Plastic Packaging Materials Co., Ltd., Yibin, 644007, China

    Chi-Hui Tsou, Chen Gao & Chin-San Wu

  3. Sichuan Zhixiangyi Technology Co., Ltd., Chengdu, 610051, China

    Chi-Hui Tsou, Chen Gao, Chin-San Wu, Ruo-Yao Wang & Manuel Reyes De Guzman

  4. Sichuan Zhirenfa Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd, Zigong, 643000, China

    Chi-Hui Tsou, Ruo-Yao Wang & Manuel Reyes De Guzman

  5. Center of Excellence in Textiles, Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand

    Chi-Hui Tsou

  6. Department of Materials and Textiles, Oriental Institute of Technology, Pan-Chiao, 22064, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Jui-Chin Chen

  7. Department of Applied Cosmetology, Kao Yuan University, Kaohsiung County, 82101, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Maw-Cherng Suen

  8. Department of Fashion Business Administration, Lee-Ming Institute of Technology, New Taipei City, 24305, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Chin-San Wu

  9. Graduate Institute of Applied Science and Technology, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, 10607, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Wei-Song Hung & Ruo-Yao Wang

  10. R&D Center for Membrane Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Chung Yuan University, Chung-Li, 32023, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Wei-Song Hung

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  1. Yihua Wen
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  2. Chi-Hui Tsou
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Correspondence to Chi-Hui Tsou or Manuel Reyes De Guzman.

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Wen, Y., Tsou, CH., Gao, C. et al. Evaluating distillers grains as bio-fillers for high-density polyethylene. J Polym Res 27, 167 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-020-02148-8

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