Options to Improve the Mechanical Properties of Protein-Based
While bio-based but chemically synthesized polymers such as polylactic acid require industrial conditions for biodegradation, protein-based materials are home compostable and show high potential for disposable products that are not collected.
Protein-Based Bioplastics from Biowastes: Sources, Processing
Cellulose-based plastics were among the first polymers used in the industry (i.e., celluloid, cellophane), and today, it is used as a matrix for biodegradable polymer composites, improving their mechanical properties and hydrophobicity.
Plasticizers: POLYSORB ID, plant-based solutions
POLYSORB ID - isosorbide diester. POLYSORB ID can be used to make diesters obtained from esterification of isosorbide with plant-based fatty acids. It offers outstanding compatibility and processability with PVC resins. Due to its great efficiency, it can be considered as an alternative of choice to standard petrochemical-based plasticizers.
Progress in bio-based plastics and plasticizing modifications
3.4. Protein based plastics Proteins are renewable, biodegradable and optically active natural 143 polymers produced by animals, plants and bacteria. Until recently proteins have been utilized exclusively in the food industries. Recent studies on non-food uses of agricultural feedstock initiated an interest in protein based plastics as well.
Green Natural Protein Isolate based composites and
Industrial grade SPI was used as a pigment binder for paper coatings. In 1987, PTI turned into the largest manufacturer of SPI. Nowadays, various forms of SPI are essential for their practical sequel as compared to their nutritional properties. Most of SPI are occur in the acidic and neutral medium [ 64].
- What types of plasticizers are used in protein films?
- Common external plasticizers used in protein films are typically polyols, mono-, di-, and oligosaccharides, as well as fatty acids and phenolic acids . The selection of a plasticizer for a particular polymeric system depends on their compatibility with each other and the desired characteristics of the final product .
- What is a protein based polymer?
- The protein-based polymers have shown unique physical and chemical features for the formation of film/coatings. Additionally, these biopolymeric materials can be functionalized with various additives and fillers such as plasticizers, metal/metal oxide nanoparticles, antioxidants, and antibacterial molecules.
- Are polyols a good plasticizer for protein based materials?
- Polyols are often cited as good plasticizers for protein based materials , , , due to their ability to reduce intermolecular hydrogen bonding while increasing intermolecular spacing. Then, the mechanical properties of caseinate films were studied versus plasticizer type and content in the film.
- Can biodegradable plasticizers increase the flexibility of protein-based materials?
- To increase the flexibility of protein-based materials, several researchers have reported the application of natural and/or biodegradable plasticizers, which reduce polymer chain-to-chain interactions by binding to the protein, distributing throughout the polymer matrix, and therefore increasing the free internal space.
- How do Plasticizers improve protein-based films?
- They increase the free volume between chains, introduce more mobility to the polymer, and act as internal lubricants by reducing frictional forces between polymer chains. Plasticizers lower the glass transition temperature [13, 65, 66]. The complexity of plasticization seems to be a major bottleneck for the improvement of protein-based films.
- What is the aqueous mixture of protein and plasticizer?
- Aqueous mixture of protein (5% w/v) and plasticizer (plasticizer/protein ratios = 25%, 50% and 100% w/w, respectively) was magnetically stirred at 800 rpm for ∼12 h at room temperature in order to get a homogeneous solution.
