Babassu was studied as a vegetable filler in a blend consisting of polybutyrate adipate terephthalate and polylactic acid aiming at preparation of bio-based and biodegradable films by solvent casting. The morphology, thermal, and mechanical properties were investigated with optical, thermoanalytical, and spectroscopic methods and correlated with the sample setup. Although only laboratory scale for film production has been applied in this work, the results suggest that the composite PBAT/PLA with 10% Babassu may be a suitable material for the application as agricultural mulch films. Such Babassu-based films would be environmentally friendly and cost-effective at the same time.

With the aim to enhance interfacial adhesion of a hydrophobic polymer matrix and cellulosic fibers and fillers, chemical surface modifications with silane coupling agents are performed. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) could be used to determine the degree of surface functionalization. However, similar thermal properties of treated and untreated cellulose hamper a precise determination of silane loading. This contribution deals with quantitative determination of silane loading combining both TGA and elemental analysis. Firstly, silane modified celluloses were studied by FT-IR, Raman, solid state NMR spectroscopy, and polarized light microscopy in order to determine functional groups and to study the impact of chemical treatment on cellulose morphology. Secondly, thermal stability and pyrolysis processes were studied by TG-MS analysis. In order to determine the exact silane loading, the mass percentages of the appropriate elements were quantified by elemental analysis and correlated with the charred residues determined by TGA yielding a linear dependency. With that correlation, it was possible to determine silane loadings for additional samples utilizing simple TGA measurements. The main advantage of that approach is that only one calibration is necessary for routine analyses of further samples and TGA-MS coupling gives additional information on thermal stability and pyrolysis routes, simultaneously.

Blending of biodegradable polymers in combination with low-price organic fillers has proven to be a suitable approach to produce cost-effective composites in order to address pollution issues and develop products with superior mechanical properties. In the present research work PBAT/PHB/Babassu composites with 25, 50, and 75% of each polymer and 20% of Babassu were produced by melting extrusion. Their thermal, mechanical, and morphological behavior was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile testing, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Blending PBAT with PHB inhibited the crystallization of both polymers whereas adding Babassu did not significantly change their melting behaviour. Incorporation of Babassu reduced the tensile strength of its respective blends between 4.8 and 32.3%, and elongation at break between 26.0 and 66.3%. PBAT as highly ductile and low crystalline polymer may be seen as a crystallization tool control for PHB as well as a plasticizer to PBAT/PHB blends and PBAT/PHB/Babassu composites. As PBAT content increases: (i) elongation at break increases and (ii) surface fracture becomes more refined indicating the presence of more energy dissipation mechanisms. As PBAT/PHB/Babassu composites are biodegradable, environmental friendly, and cost effective, products based on these compounds have a great potential since their mechanical properties such as ductility, stiffness, and tensile strength are still suitable for several applications even at lower temperatures (−40 °C).

Vitrimers are a promising alternative to conventional composite materials as they can be recycled and reshaped but still need additives. Herein, intrinsic flame-retardant phosphorus-containing vitrimers are presented, which were used in composites.

When dealing with smart polymers, in particular with shape memory polymers, the polymer type and composition specify the overall material properties and in particular the extent of the shape memory effect. Polybenzoxazines as a polymer with high potential for structural applications represent a promising component for materials with both shape memory effect and structurally interesting material properties. This minireview gives insight into how the shape memory effect, in particular the shape recovery event, is influenced by internal factors such as polymer structure, morphology and external factors such as filler addition.