Mussel-inspired polydopamine-modified biochar microsphere for reinforcing polylactic acid composite films: Emphasizing the achievement of excellent thermal and mechanical properties

Qingfa Zhang; Jianlong Chen; Xinyuan Guo; Hanwu Lei; Rongge Zou; Erguang Huo; Xiao Kong; Weiwei Liu; Mingfeng Wang; Zhong Ma; Bin Li

doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129567

Mussel-inspired polydopamine-modified biochar microsphere for reinforcing polylactic acid composite films: Emphasizing the achievement of excellent thermal and mechanical properties

Int J Biol Macromol. 2024 Mar;260(Pt 2):129567. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129567. Epub 2024 Jan 20.

Authors

Qingfa Zhang¹, Jianlong Chen², Xinyuan Guo², Hanwu Lei³, Rongge Zou³, Erguang Huo⁴, Xiao Kong⁵, Weiwei Liu², Mingfeng Wang², Zhong Ma², Bin Li²

Affiliations

¹ School of Engineering, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China. Electronic address: zhangqingfa@ahau.edu.cn.
² School of Engineering, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China.
³ Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University, Richland, WA 99354, USA.
⁴ Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Heat Fluid Flow Technology and Energy Application, School of Physical Science and Technology, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China.
⁵ School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China.

PMID: 38246462
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129567

Abstract

Having poor interfacial compatibility between biochar microsphere (BM) and polylactic acid (PLA) should be responsible for the unbalance of composite film strength and toughness. Elucidating the effect of polydopamine (PDA) on BM and BM/PLA composite films is the ultimate goal of this study based on the mussel bionic principle. It was found that the strong adhesion of PDA on the BM surface was achieved, which improved the surface roughness and thermal stability. Also, PDA modification can facilitate crystallization, increase thermal properties, improve interfacial compatibility, and enhance the tensile properties of BM/PLA composite films. Silane-based PDA modified BM/PLA composite film exhibited the best tensile strength, tensile modulus, and elongation at break with 77.95 MPa, 1.87 GPa, and 7.30%. These noteworthy findings, achieving a simultaneous improvement in PLA strength and toughness, hold promising implications for its sustainability.

Keywords: Biochar microspheres; Composite films; Polydopamine; Properties improvement.

MeSH terms

Charcoal*
Indoles*
Microspheres
Polyesters* / chemistry
Polymers*

Substances

polydopamine
poly(lactide)
biochar
Polyesters
Charcoal
Indoles
Polymers