Development and Study of Biodegradability of Euphorbia Coagulum Modified Polyester Composite Reinforced with Bamboo Fiber

In this work, bamboo fiber reinforced euphorbia coagulum modified polyester resin based bio composites were prepared using a compression molding technique. Biodegradability studies of the composites were carried out using microbial growth by inoculation method. Weight loss of biodegraded composite was analyzed at different time intervals. FTIR and NMR results revealed the presence of unsaturation in euphorbia coagulum which helps in cross-linking during composite development. The presence of euphorbia coagulum accelerates the rate of degradation of the composite due to the formation of holes and cavities in the composite that can be confirmed by the surface morphology of degraded composite. FTIR results also confirmed the fastest degradation of euphorbia coagulum based composite as compared to without coagulum based composite. It was found that the addition of 30% euphorbia coagulum in polyester resin-bamboo fiber composites enhanced the degradation up to 40% after 90 days of biodegradability studies. This work gives us the idea of replacement of conventionally used polymer with the natural polymer to prepare composite that can be discarded carelessly in the environment instead of proper waste disposal.