Biocomposites

Prof. Elisabete Frollini of the  Macromolecular Materials and Lignocellulosic Fibers Group Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos University of São Paulo and  Dr. Annamaria Celli and Dr. Laura Sisti of the Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM) are collaborating in the field of the preparation and optimization of new biocomposites.

The effects of the mixing of some lignocellulosic fibers from Brasil on renewable and biodegradable polyesters are studied by varying the preparation technique, fiber length and content and by the addition of additives. The research aims at developing fully biobased materials with good thermal and mechanical performances, at adding value to natural fibers, largely unexploited, and at decreasing the cost of the polymeric matrix which is a critical limiting factor for the development of polymers from renewable resources.

Recent exchange visit

• June 2012. Discussion on the development of the project during the ECCM-15TH, European Conference on Composite Materials at Venice, where the collaborative work was presented in an oral communication entitled  "Composites based on poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and lignocellulosic fibers".
• August 2011-January 2012. An Italian student in Chemical and Processing Engineering from the Alma Mater Studiorum carried out the research work for the Degree Thesis, entitled "Novel Lignocellulosic Composites" in Brasil, under the co-supervision of Prof. Elisabete Frollini.