Biodegradation behavior of polycaprolactone/rice husk ecocomposites in simulated soil medium

In this study, novel ecocomposites based on degradable polymer, polycaprolactone (PCL) and natural lignocellulosic material, rice husk (RH) have been prepared. The crystallization behavior of these ecocomposites was first studied by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The method of soil suspension system (i.e. simulated soil medium) was utilized to investigate the biodegradation behavior of the PCL/RH ecocomposites, and quantitative analysis on the degradation behavior of the two components (i.e. PCL and RH) has been achieved by a modified TGA method. Results demonstrate that the incorporation of RH fillers can inhibit the crystallization of PCL phase to some extent. Furthermore, the presence of RH fillers can accelerate the degradation of the PCL matrix in the ecocomposites, and this acceleration effect becomes more pronounced with the increase of RH content, which has been explained in terms of the depressed crystallinity of the polymer matrix, improved hydrophilicity and depolymerase-binding capacity of the substrate. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.