Development of recycled polylactic acid/oyster shell/biomass waste composite for green packaging materials with pure natural glue and nano-fluid

In this study, a diversified waste recycling system and a green processing technology are proposed. This research not only finds feasible solutions to alleviate environmental problems of plastic pollution and straw burning but also provides new reuse methods for oyster shell waste and hogwash oil. The developed noval biocomposite material is conducive to the green development of express industry. This paper evaluates the performance of materials from many aspects: X-ray computed tomography characterization, fundamental physical properties, mechanical properties, microscopic morphology, SEM morphology, and comprehensive performance of products. Two kinds of products with economic value are found. One is sample 4, which is suitable for making granular products due to its low cost (0.328$/500 g). Another is sample 13, which is suitable for manufacturing green packaging materials due to its excellent mechanical properties (tensile strength 14.15 MPa; elongation at break 12.68%; Young’s modulus 8189.89 MPa). Based on the experimental results, the process of the composite is simulated to study the different strengthening mechanisms of arabic gum and poly(methyl vinyl ether-alt-maleic anhydride). Arabic gum uses chemical reaction and principle of similarity and intermiscibility to fuse with biomass to form homogeneous hybrid in the form of liquid gel. Poly(methyl vinyl ether-alt-maleic anhydride) indirectly adheres filler to the matrix through ring-opening reaction and structural similarity. The new emulsification system caused by arabic gum promotes the arabic gum and nano-fluid coupling cross-linking system to produce a decentralized cross-linked network and inhibit the pernicious molecular chain entanglement.