Abstract Cotton gin trash (CGT), a potential lignocellulose resource was combined with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) to produce the biodegradable composite plastic film. A 50:50 CGT/PVA ratio was maintained using coarse and fine CGT powder particles and the effect of particle size on the morphology, crystallinity, tensile strength, optical transmittance, thermal stability and biodegradability was investigated. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image showed uniform distribution of CGT in PVA matrix particularly of the fine powders (~5.7 μm). The incorporation of CGT in PVA enhanced the tensile strength, biodegradability, thermal stability and induced complete UV protection. Overall, while the flexibility of the composite film decreased, the tensile strength increased 10% and 20%, respectively by the coarse and fine CGT powders when compared to the pure PVA film. Considering the fabrication cost as estimated in the study, the results point towards the immense potential of CGT as a low-cost reinforcement material for PVA to be successfully used in the production of biodegradable plastic material.

中文翻译：

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可生物降解的轧棉渣/聚乙烯醇复合塑料：粒径对理化性能的影响

摘要 轧棉废料（CGT）是一种潜在的木质纤维素资源，与聚乙烯醇（PVA）结合生产可生物降解的复合塑料薄膜。使用粗和细的 CGT 粉末颗粒保持 50:50 的 CGT/PVA 比例，并研究了粒度对形态、结晶度、拉伸强度、透光率、热稳定性和生物降解性的影响。扫描电子显微镜 (SEM) 图像显示 CGT 在 PVA 基质中的均匀分布，尤其是细粉 (~5.7 μm)。CGT 在 PVA 中的加入增强了拉伸强度、生物降解性、热稳定性并诱导了完全的紫外线防护。总体而言，复合膜的柔韧性下降，拉伸强度增加了10%和20%，与纯 PVA 薄膜相比，分别由粗和细 CGT 粉末组成。考虑到研究中估计的制造成本，结果表明 CGT 作为 PVA 的低成本增强材料具有巨大的潜力，可成功用于生产可生物降解的塑料材料。