Engineering and Processing of Poly(HydroxyButyrate) (PHB) Modified by Nano-sized Graphene Nanoplatelets (GNP) and Amino-Functionalized Silica (A-fnSiO2)

Manufacturing of plastics by biodegradable polymers can reduce the environmental impact and limit the recourse to non-renewable resources. Physical, chemical and mechanical properties of biodegradable polymers cannot often be comparable with petroleum-based plastics. However, the modification of bioplastics by physical and chemical routes can improve their performance. In this work, Poly(HydroxyButyrate) PHB is reprocessed by the dispersion of graphene nano-platelets as well as by the dispersion of Amino-Functionalized Nano-Silica (A-fnSiO₂). Modification of the PHBs after compounding and pelletizing was evaluated by Fourier Transform Infrared. Thermal analysis was performed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry after extrusion and compression moulding. Hardness and scratch performance of the polymers were measured on compression molded substrates by pencil and progressive and constant load scratch tests. Chemical resistance was evaluated on compression molded substrates by dipping in aggressive acidic, basic and saline aqueous solutions. In conclusion, the PHBs modified by the graphene nanoplatelets were found to be very promising, featuring good chemical inertness, hardness and mechanical strength.