Characteristics of laser printed waste paper fibers filled polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) based composite films

Abstract With the advancement of office automation, the production and consumption of laser‐printed waste paper have been increasing steadily, drawing considerable attention in the industry for the high‐value utilization of this novel, high‐quality waste paper. PBAT (polybutylene adipate terephthalate) belongs to thermoplastic biodegradable polymers, offering a potential alternative to conventional plastics and addressing issues like microplastic pollution. However, the high cost of PBAT limits its widespread application. This study focuses on utilizing laser‐printed waste paper for reinforcing PBAT‐based biodegradable plastics, thereby developing a novel film material and conducting an in‐depth investigation of its properties. Results indicate that the mechanical properties of the LPWF/PBAT film composite material are optimized when the laser‐printed waste paper fiber (LPWF) content is at 20%. Furthermore, to address the poor compatibility between fibers and resin interfaces, modifications were carried out using γ‐glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane(KH560), vinyltriethoxysilane(A151), maleic anhydride grafted PBAT(PBAT‐g‐MAH), and cationic polyacrylamide(CPAM). The modified composite material exhibited improved mechanical properties, water absorption, and thermal stability. This research provides insights for the design and development of low‐cost, high‐performance PBAT composite materials. Highlights Laser printed waste paper fibers serve in biodegradable composite films. At 20 wt% LPWF, the film's elastic modulus reaches 369 MPa. Adding 3 wt% PBAT‐g‐MAH increases film tensile strength by 33.6%. Four modification methods significantly enhance the water resistance properties. A151 modification enhances the thermal stability of composite films.