Novel biocomposites based on wheat gluten and rubber wood sawdust

Abstract

ABSTRACT Rubber wood sawdust (RWS) was used as a reinforcement for wheat gluten based bioplastics. The RWS content was varied from 0, 5, 10, 15–20 wt %. Effects of the RWS content on the morphology, water absorption, mechanical, thermal, and biodegradation properties of the wheat gluten based bioplastic were investigated. An addition of RWS caused an improvement of the tensile strength and water resistance of the wheat gluten based bioplastics. Scanning electron micrograph of the wheat gluten/RWS composites with a 10 wt % of RWS revealed a good dispersion and uniform embedding of the RWS within the wheat gluten matrix. Agglomeration of RWS was observed when the RWS loads were increased (15 and 20 wt %). The biodegradation process of the composites depended on the amount of RWS. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133 , 43705.