Extruded Poly(ethylene–co–vinyl alcohol) Composite Films Containing Biopolymers Isolated from Municipal Biowaste

Abstract

Single-screw extrusion allows obtaining composite films containing poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol), hereinafter EVOH, and water-soluble lignin-like biopolymers (SLP) isolated from the alkaline hydrolysate of two materials sampled from an urban waste treatment plant. During extrusion, a condensation reaction occurs between the EVOH and SLP. The products are heterogeneous. They contain a mix of EVOH-SLP copolymers with different composition and solubility properties. The films were characterized for tensile strength and water sorption properties. Young modulus and strain at break, respectively, were 2.8 GPa and 14% for neat EVOH vs. 2.1-0.9 GPa and 17–4% for the blends containing 2–15% SLP, with values decreasing upon increasing the % SLP. The blends were more hydrophilic than neat EVOH; their water sorption capacity was found to increase upon increasing the SLP content. Compared to previously reported similar blends obtained by twin-screw extrusion and solvent casting, the data for the single-screw extruded films allows discussing several aspects connected to the valorisation of blends obtained from fossil and biowaste sourced polymers.