The Role of Inorganic-Organic Bio-Fillers Containing Kraft Lignin in Improvement in Functional Properties of Polyethylene

Abstract

In this study, MgO-lignin (MgO-L) dual phase fillers with varying amounts of lignin as well as pristine lignin and magnesium oxide were used as effective bio-fillers to increase the ultraviolet light protection and enhance the barrier performance of low density polyethylene (LDPE) thin sheet films. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to check the crystalline structure of the studied samples, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied to determine morphological characteristics. The results of optical spectrometry in the range of UV light indicated that LDPE/MgO-L (1:5 wt/wt) composition exhibited the best protection factor, whereas LDPE did not absorb ultraviolet waves. Moreover, the addition of hybrid filler decreased the oxygen permeability factor and water vapor transmission compared with neat LDPE and its composites with pristine additives, such as lignin and magnesium oxide. The strong influence of the microstructure on thin sheet films was observed in the DSC results, as double melting peaks were detected only for LDPE compounded with inorganic-organic bio-fillers: LDPE/MgO-L.