Preparation and characterization of biocomposites based on the low-density polyethylene reinforced with rice husks

Zbog sve većih problema s odlaganjem otpada nastoje se pronaći učinkovita rješenja zbrinjavanja plastičnog otpada. U ovom radu iz taljevine su pripremljeni biokompoziti na osnovi polietilena niske gustoće (LDPE) i lignoceluloze (rižinih ljuskoca, RLJ) u cilju dobivanja biokompozita za primjenu kao ambalažnog materijala. Biokompoziti LDPE i RLJ uz različite udjele RLJ (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mas %) pripremljeni su u Brabender gnjetilici. Ispitan je utjecaj RLJ i njihovog udjela na fizikalna i toplinska svojstva LDPE/RLJ biokompozita. Određena je raspodjela veličina čestica RLJ, propusnost vodene pare, debljina filmova te je proveden postupak kompostiranja. Pokazalo se da rižine ljuskice snizuju toplinsku stabilnost LDPE-a, povećavaju propusnost vodene pare, povećavaju stupanj kristalnosti i poboljšavaju biorazgradljivost LDPE-a.With increasing problems concerning waste efficient solutions for the disposal of plastic waste can be try find. The aim of this work was to prepare biocomposites with melt mixing (compounding) of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) with natural lignocellulose, rice husk (RH) in order to obtain biocomposites as a packaging materials. The LDPE/RH biocomposites with different content of rice husk (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 wt %) were prepared by laboratory Brabender mixer. The effect of RH and their content on physical and thermal properties of biocomposites were investigated. The particle size distribution has been determined along with water vapour permeability, width of the films and LDPE/RH biolpolymers were decomposed by composting process . The results confirmed that the incorporation of the RH into the LDPE and increase of the content of the RH decreased thermal stability of LDPE, increased water vapour permeability, increased degree of crystallinity and the most important thing that they increased biodegradability of LDPE