Thesis
Upcycling industrial food waste as functional fillers in polylactic acid composites
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jun 2021
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00000426
Abstract
Growing concern over climate change has caused an increased interest in composite materials that can be used as alternatives to fossil fuel derived materials. While plastics are a versatile material, the large quantity of emissions released during production as well as their lack of degradation has resulted in the need for composites that have a lower production and end-of-life impact. Industrial food waste from the food and beverage industry has the potential to act as filler material within composites due to its abundance and homogeneity while polylactic acid, a biodegradable polymer, has mechanical properties that make it suitable for use as a plastic alternative. This work explored using cranberry pomace and brewers spent grains, both raw and modified, as filler material in polylactic acid composites produced via extrusion. Processability of the food waste/polymer formulations was evaluated as was the structural and water absorption properties of the extruded filaments. This work determined that cranberry pomace can be used as filler material in polylactic acid composites although water absorption is a concern over long immersion times. Brewers spent grains were unable to be extruded although the results suggest this is due to lack of proper processing thus further study is required. The results suggest the importance of proper adhesion between the food waste and polymer prior to extrusion as well as protecting the polyphenolic compounds within the cranberry pomace through solvent washing and inclusion of soy protein isolate.
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Details
- Title
- Upcycling industrial food waste as functional fillers in polylactic acid composites
- Creators
- Emma Kathryn Snelling
- Contributors
- Caroline L. Schauer (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- x, 59 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Materials (Science and) Engineering (Metallurgical Engineering) (1970-2026); College of Engineering (1970-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991015241979304721