Biodegradable hierarchical polymeric composites based on poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) PHBV, Graphene Oxide, GO and Rami fiber

• Grant number: 22/07054-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: November 01, 2022 - October 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Guilhermino José Macêdo Fechine
• Grantee: Guilhermino José Macêdo Fechine
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia (EE). Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie (UPM). Instituto Presbiteriano Mackenzie. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Hélio Ribeiro ; Ludwig Cardon ; Ricardo Jorge Espanhol Andrade
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/11372-8 - Biodegradable polymeric composites based on PHBV and graphene oxide: Processing and characterization, BP.TT

Abstract

Biodegradable polymers emerged as a solution to problems arising from environmental pollution generated by plastic waste. However, the performance of some of these polymers still falls short of what is necessary for some applications, mainly in relation to processability and mechanical properties. Some strategies have been used to try to solve these problems, from the use of particulate reinforcing fillers (micro and nanoparticles) and vegetal fibers. With the advancement of material manipulation at the nanometer level, one of the solutions that have been explored for the elaboration of high-performance composites is the combination of materials of different dimensional scales, the so-called hierarchical composites. This project deals with the development of hierarchical biodegradable polymeric composites, using poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) - PHBV as matrix, Rami as vegetal fiber together with graphene nanoparticles - Gr and its derivative graphene oxide - OG. The development of these environmentally friendly hierarchical composites aims to produce materials with high mechanical and thermal performance without negative changes in the biodegradability of the polymer matrix. The execution of this project is divided into the following stages: a) Produce and characterize graphene-based materials; b) Produce biodegradable polymeric composites (traditional, nanocomposites and hierarchical); c) Evaluate the morphology together with the mechanical and thermal properties of biodegradable polymeric composites; d) Evaluate the biodegradability of biodegradable polymeric composites. Each stage of this project will have the collaboration of researchers (national and international) experts in strategic areas from the synthesis of nanoparticles, processing and characterization of nanocomposites. (AU)