The Use of Glasswort (Salicornia europaea) in High Density Polyethylene Composites

ABSTRACT

In pursuit of new biobased materials for a sustainable world, glasswort (Salicornia europaea) was utilized in this study as a natural fiber to develop a biocomposite material. Glasswort (GW) reinforced high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites at different GW percentages were prepared with a high-speed thermo-kinetic mixer. The effect of GW on HDPE composites was thoroughly investigated with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, tensile and flexural tests, dynamic mechanical analysis, water contact angle measurements, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A new method was also developed by seawater immersion of samples to conduct microbiological analysis. The method included bacteria population count with respect to time. Biointegration was reported to increase as 25% for 20 wt% GW-filled HDPE. The tensile modulus of HDPE increased up to 20% with GW inclusion. The unique properties of this novel composite material proved that GW can be a promising natural fiber for polymer composites.

为了寻求新的生物基材料, 以实现可持续发展, 本研究将玻璃藻 (salicornia europaea) 作为一种天然纤维用于开发生物复合材料. 采用高速热动混合器制备了不同GW含量的玻璃麦汁 (GW) 增强高密度聚乙烯 (HDPE) 复合材料. 采用傅里叶变换红外光谱 (FTIR), 拉伸和弯曲试验, 动态力学分析, 水接触角测量和扫描电子显微镜 (SEM) 等方法, 全面研究了GW对HDPE复合材料的影响. 还开发了一种新的方法, 通过海水浸泡样品进行微生物分析. 该方法包括细菌数量与时间的关系. 据报道, 20 wt%GW填充HDPE的生物整合增加25%. 加入GW后, HDPE的拉伸模量提高了20%. 这种新型复合材料的独特性能证明, GW是一种很有前途的聚合物复合材料天然纤维.

KEYWORD:

• Biocomposite
• glasswort
• high density polyethylene
• mechanical properties
• biointegration

关键词:

• 生物复合材料
• 麦汁
• 高密度聚乙烯
• 力学性能
• 生物整合

Acknowledgments

IKC-ÖNP-MÜM-0002 project supported by Izmir Katip Celebi University Research Funds is greatly acknowledged.