In response to the pervasive anthropogenic pollution of the ocean, this manuscript suggests the use of biodegradable elastomers in marine applications. The present study characterizes 25 samples of highly biodegradable polymers, obtained blending a base elastomer with natural fibers. Mechanical analysis and Scanning Electron Microscope imaging, reveal how base polymers behave differently depending on the plant fiber chosen, on the external forcing—exposure to water—and on the doses that constitute the final biocomposite. Results suggest that EcoflexTM 00-30 and EcoflexTM 00-50, mixed with potato starch, perform best mechanically, maintaining up to 70% of their maximum tensile strain. Moreover, early signs of degradation are visible on polysiloxane rubber blended with 50% vegetable fibers after 19 hours in distilled water. Analyses demonstrate that highly biodegradable elastomers are good candidates to satisfy the requirements of aquatic devices. Furthermore, the discussed materials can improve the dexterity and biodegradability of marine technology.

Aracri, S., Contardi, M., Bayer, I., Zahid, M., Giorgio-Serchi, F., Stokes, A. (2021). Propaedeutic Study of Biocomposites Obtained With Natural Fibers for Oceanographic Observing Platforms. FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE, 8(2 December) [10.3389/fmars.2021.761307].

Propaedeutic Study of Biocomposites Obtained With Natural Fibers for Oceanographic Observing Platforms

Contardi M.;
2021

Abstract

In response to the pervasive anthropogenic pollution of the ocean, this manuscript suggests the use of biodegradable elastomers in marine applications. The present study characterizes 25 samples of highly biodegradable polymers, obtained blending a base elastomer with natural fibers. Mechanical analysis and Scanning Electron Microscope imaging, reveal how base polymers behave differently depending on the plant fiber chosen, on the external forcing—exposure to water—and on the doses that constitute the final biocomposite. Results suggest that EcoflexTM 00-30 and EcoflexTM 00-50, mixed with potato starch, perform best mechanically, maintaining up to 70% of their maximum tensile strain. Moreover, early signs of degradation are visible on polysiloxane rubber blended with 50% vegetable fibers after 19 hours in distilled water. Analyses demonstrate that highly biodegradable elastomers are good candidates to satisfy the requirements of aquatic devices. Furthermore, the discussed materials can improve the dexterity and biodegradability of marine technology.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
biocomposites; bioplastic; elastomers; marine observation network; natural fiber-reinforced composites; soft robots; sustainable marine science;
English
2021
8
2 December
761307
open
Aracri, S., Contardi, M., Bayer, I., Zahid, M., Giorgio-Serchi, F., Stokes, A. (2021). Propaedeutic Study of Biocomposites Obtained With Natural Fibers for Oceanographic Observing Platforms. FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE, 8(2 December) [10.3389/fmars.2021.761307].
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
10281-431898_VoR.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia di allegato: Publisher’s Version (Version of Record, VoR)
Licenza: Creative Commons
Dimensione 2.65 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
2.65 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/431898
Citazioni
  • Scopus 1
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 2
Social impact