Volume 225, Issue 20 2400191
Research Article

Characterization and Properties of Polylactic Acid/Cottonseed Protein Bioplastics

Yanli Jiang

Yanli Jiang

Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Biorefinery, School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 China

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Peng Yan

Peng Yan

Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Biorefinery, School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 China

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Lingwei Mai

Lingwei Mai

Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Biorefinery, School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 China

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Hai Liu

Hai Liu

Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Biorefinery, School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 China

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Xiaobo Liu

Xiaobo Liu

Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Biorefinery, School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 China

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Chufen Yang

Chufen Yang

Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Biorefinery, School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 China

Jieyang Branch of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Rongjiang Laboratory), Jieyang, 515200 China

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Jinping Peng

Jinping Peng

Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Biorefinery, School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 China

Jieyang Branch of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Rongjiang Laboratory), Jieyang, 515200 China

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Hangbo Yue

Corresponding Author

Hangbo Yue

Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Biorefinery, School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 China

Jieyang Branch of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Rongjiang Laboratory), Jieyang, 515200 China

E-mail: [email protected]

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First published: 13 August 2024
Citations: 2

Abstract

In this study, polylactic acid (PLA) is compounded with cottonseed protein concentrate (CPC) by melt blending under the compatibilization of maleic anhydride (MA), and then hot-pressed to prepare PLA/CPC composite bioplastics. The attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy showed that high temperature and compatibilizer induced the protein secondary structure to transition. CPC can be used as a heterogeneous PLA nucleating agent, effectively accelerating PLA crystallization, which is characterized by polarization optical microscopy (POM), synchrotron radiation wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The highest crystallinity of the PLA/CPC10 composite is 8.9% higher than that of neat PLA. The unfolding of the protein secondary structure is likely to promote an orderly arrangement of PLA crystals, showing strong binding forces between them. Moreover, the CPC/PLA interfacial compatibility is improved by the addition of a small amount of maleic anhydride. The increased crystallinity and interfacial compatibility contribute to the improved mechanical properties, water resistance, and thermal stability of the bioplastics. Environmentally friendly plastic handicrafts (e.g., commemorative emblems, flower pots, ornaments, etc.) can be fabricated using these biocomposites for future value-added applications.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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