Discipline:
Subcategory: Materials Science
Donald White - Tuskegee University
Co-Author(s): Michael Curry, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL
It is believed that the addition of the CNF’s will allow non-biodegradable plastics to degrade in environmental settings. VS-I is a new method for the suspension and dispersion of the different polymorphs of cellulose-nanofribrils in an array of different polymer matrices. Infusing the cellulose without any modification improves the mechanical and thermo stability of the plastics. The ability to reduce the environmental impacts of plastics has been limited due to its inability to break down. However, by using a biomass we are able to have the plastics biodegrade. Various solvents were used to disperse the cellulose in different plastics (HIPS, ABS, PLA, PHA). Future works will include a biogas degradation study, and test the toxicity of the plastics.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): AGEP HRD-1433005; CHE-1503408
Faculty Advisor: Michael L. Curry, currym@mytu.tuskegee.edu
Role: All research and characterization by Donald White.