Characterization of composite polymeric biodegradable using Poly (ε-caprolactone) and coffee grounds

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of chemical treatments of coffee grounds in relation to mechanical, thermal and morphological properties, and its susceptibility to biodegradation when used in the preparation of composites with poly (ε-caprolactone) as compared to pure polymer. The coffee grounds were submitted to alkali treatment with sodium hydroxide followed by acetylation. The composites were prepared using different percentages of coffee grounds. There was an increase in the thermal stability of coffee grounds using chemical treatment, and a significant increase of the elastic modulus for the composite with 10% acetylated coffee grounds. The images obtained by SEM showed a partial interaction between fiber/matrix for composites and acetylated coffee grounds. The Thermal analysis showed that the addition of coffee grounds positively shifted 10°C, the maximum peak of thermal degradation, as compared to pure polymer. The most susceptible samples to biodegradation were those that contained acetylated coffee grounds.

Keywords:
polymeric composite; coffee grounds; biodegradable polyester