Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to Biodegradable Polymer Composites Reinforced with Nanofillers for Sustainable Short-Term disposable Applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional petrochemical-based polymers (plastics) are widely used for packaging, consumer goods, and disposable products due to their low cost, good mechanical strength, and durability. However, these materials are non-biodegradable, leading to severe environmental problems such as plastic pollution, microplastic generation, ecosystem damage, and contribution to greenhouse gas emissions during disposal. There is a need to develop biodegradable polymer composites with tailored properties by incorporating diverse nanofillers for various short-life-span disposable applications.
EXISTING SOLUTIONS / PRIOR ART/RELATED APPLICATIONS & PATENTS:
Presently, most disposable products are manufactured using petrochemical-based polymers due to their low cost, processability, and good mechanical properties. However, these materials are non-biodegradable and contribute significantly to environmental pollution. Therefore, there is a critical need to replace petro-polymers with biodegradable polymers while ensuring that the developed biodegradable products are compatible with existing manufacturing instruments and processing technologies (such as melt blending, extrusion, and injection molding).
The currently available solutions for biodegradable polymer composites suffer from several key limitations, preventing them from fully addressing the requirements of sustainable short-term disposable applications:
Most biodegradable polymers like PLA, PHA, PBS, and PBAT are inherently brittle, possess low impact resistance, and have a narrow thermal stability range (below 60–80°C), restricting their use in practical disposable applications such as cutlery, trays, or packaging that require durability. The Existing solutions often fail to simultaneously improve both strength and flexibility, which is essential for products requiring moderate toughness during use but rapid degradation post-disposal.
Many research works focus on incorporating only a single type of nanofiller (e.g., nanoclays, cellulose nanocrystals, or metal oxides), limiting the multifunctionality of the final composite material. A single nanofiller may improve one property (like barrier or mechanical strength) but might adversely affect biodegradability or cost-effectiveness.
Certain nanofillers used in previous works (e.g., silver nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes) may pose environmental toxicity or health hazards during degradation or disposal. There is insufficient research into using bio-derived or green nanofillers that are environmentally benign and safe for food-contact or consumer products.
Implementation:
• Synthesis of various nanofillers.
• Incorporation into biodegradable polymer matrices using melt blending/injection molding.
• Study of morphology, structure, thermal behavior, mechanical performance, biodegradation, and cost analysis.
• Optimization of the best-performing nanofiller-polymer combination for scalable short-life-span applications
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention.
This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
Implementation:
• Synthesis of various nanofillers.
• Incorporation into biodegradable polymer matrices using melt blending/injection molding.
• Study of morphology, structure, thermal behavior, mechanical performance, biodegradation, and cost analysis.
• Optimization of the best-performing nanofiller-polymer combination for scalable short-life-span applications
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
FIGURE 1: SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a",” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", “third”, and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
Disclosed herein a biodegradable polymer composite comprising:
• a biodegradable polymer matrix selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT);
• a nanofiller selected from the group consisting of nanoclays, carbon-based nanomaterials, metal oxides, and bio-derived nanomaterials;
• wherein the nanofiller is incorporated into the biodegradable polymer matrix via melt blending or injection molding;
• and wherein the nanofiller is present in an amount optimized to balance mechanical strength, thermal stability, and biodegradability for short-term disposable applications.
The nanofiller loading is systematically varied between 0.1 wt% and 5 wt% to achieve desired composite properties. The nanofiller is functionalized to enhance dispersion within the polymer matrix.
The composite exhibits improved mechanical performance, thermal behavior, and biodegradation rates compared to the neat biodegradable polymer. The composite is suitable for manufacturing disposable products such as cutlery, trays, packaging materials, and agricultural films.
A method for producing a biodegradable polymer composite, comprising:
• synthesizing a nanofiller selected from the group consisting of nanoclays, carbon-based nanomaterials, metal oxides, and bio-derived nanomaterials;
• incorporating the nanofiller into a biodegradable polymer matrix selected from the group consisting of PLA, PHA, PBS, and PBAT using melt blending or injection molding;
• systematically varying the nanofiller loading to optimize the composite's mechanical strength, thermal stability, and biodegradability for short-term disposable applications.
Implementation:
• Synthesis of various nanofillers.
• Incorporation into biodegradable polymer matrices using melt blending/injection molding.
• Study of morphology, structure, thermal behavior, mechanical performance, biodegradation, and cost analysis.
• Optimization of the best-performing nanofiller-polymer combination for scalable short-life-span applications
• Development of a universal platform of biodegradable polymers (PLA, PHA, PBS, PBAT, etc.) reinforced with different functional nanofillers such as nanoclays, carbon-based nanomaterials, metal oxides, and bio-derived nanomaterials.
• Systematic optimization of nanofiller loading (wt%) to balance mechanical, thermal, and degradation performance.
• First-time comparative analysis of different nanofillers in biodegradable polymers for disposable product applications like cutlery, trays, packaging, and agricultural films.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
Comprehensive Nanofiller Integration:
This approach systematically incorporates a variety of nanofillers—including nanoclays, carbon-based nanomaterials, metal oxides, and bio-derived nanomaterials—into biodegradable polymers like PLA, PHA, PBS, and PBAT. This strategy aims to enhance mechanical strength, thermal stability, and biodegradability, tailoring materials for specific short-term disposable applications.
Systematic Optimization:
By varying nanofiller weight percentages, your method seeks to balance mechanical, thermal, and degradation properties effectively. This contrasts with prior studies that often focus on single nanofiller types or lack comprehensive optimization across multiple properties.
Comparative Analysis for Application-Specific Suitability:
This invention includes a first-time comparative analysis of different nanofillers in biodegradable polymers, evaluating their performance in applications like cutlery, trays, packaging, and agricultural films. This holistic assessment aids in identifying the most suitable composite materials for specific disposable products.
, Claims:1. A biodegradable polymer composite comprising:
• a biodegradable polymer matrix selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT);
• a nanofiller selected from the group consisting of nanoclays, carbon-based nanomaterials, metal oxides, and bio-derived nanomaterials;
• wherein the nanofiller is incorporated into the biodegradable polymer matrix via melt blending or injection molding;
• and wherein the nanofiller is present in an amount optimized to balance mechanical strength, thermal stability, and biodegradability for short-term disposable applications.
2. The biodegradable polymer composite as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nanofiller loading is systematically varied between 0.1 wt% and 5 wt% to achieve desired composite properties.
3. The biodegradable polymer composite as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nanofiller is functionalized to enhance dispersion within the polymer matrix.
4. The biodegradable polymer composite as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composite exhibits improved mechanical performance, thermal behavior, and biodegradation rates compared to the neat biodegradable polymer.
5. The biodegradable polymer composite as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composite is suitable for manufacturing disposable products such as cutlery, trays, packaging materials, and agricultural films.
6. A method for producing a biodegradable polymer composite, comprising:
• synthesizing a nanofiller selected from the group consisting of nanoclays, carbon-based nanomaterials, metal oxides, and bio-derived nanomaterials;
• incorporating the nanofiller into a biodegradable polymer matrix selected from the group consisting of PLA, PHA, PBS, and PBAT using melt blending or injection molding;
• systematically varying the nanofiller loading to optimize the composite's mechanical strength, thermal stability, and biodegradability for short-term disposable applications.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising analyzing the morphology, structure, thermal behavior, mechanical performance, biodegradation, and cost of the composite to determine the optimal nanofiller-polymer combination.
8. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the optimized biodegradable polymer composite is used to develop a universal platform for various short-life-span applications.