Performance Enhancement of Biocomposites Based on Poly (3‐Hydroxybutyrate‐Co‐3‐Hydroxyvalerate)/Polylactide Blend: Synergistic Effect of <scp>PHBV</scp>‐<scp><i>g</i></scp>‐<scp>MA</scp> Compatibilizer and Diss Fibers

ABSTRACT This study is focused on investigating the effects of untreated and treated Diss fibers ( Ampelodesmos mauritanicus ) and the PHBV‐ g ‐MA compatibilizer on the properties of biocomposites based on a poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) blend (50/50 wt. %) prepared by melt compounding. Diss fibers and the PHBV‐ g ‐MA compatibilizer were incorporated into the polymer blend at 20 and 5 wt. %, respectively. To examine interfacial adhesion and compatibility between the different components of the system, contact angle measurements, as well as thermal and mechanical properties, of the PHBV/PLA blend and PHBV/PLA/Diss fiber biocomposites with and without the compatibilizer were investigated. The study showed that the addition of alkali‐treated Diss fibers resulted in a slight improvement in impact strength, from 15.4 to 20.7 kJ/m 2 , compared to the untreated biocomposites. Moreover, the addition of PHBV‐ g ‐MA to the alkali‐treated biocomposites led to a more significant improvement in flexural modulus, impact strength, and Shore D hardness, increasing from almost 2200 MPa, 20.0 kJ/m 2 and 74.4 to 3175 MPa, 23.1 kJ/m 2 and 83.4, respectively, compared to the PHBV/PLA blend. Furthermore, the compatibilized PHBV/PLA/Diss fiber biocomposites exhibited enhanced thermal properties and contact angle, indicating good interaction between the components. Overall, this study highlights the synergistic effect of Diss fibers and the PHBV‐ g ‐MA compatibilizer in improving the performance of the PHBV/PLA blend, contributing to the development of fully sustainable materials for rigid food packaging applications.