Nanofiber from Food Waste Derived Biopolymers for Sustainable Medical Textile Application

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the demand for environmentally friendly personal protective equipment (PPE). Conventional electrostatic-based surgical masks and healthcare apparel are primarily non-biodegradable, and often mismanaged as waste. This thesis aims to develop sustainable and biodegradable non-woven textiles from biopolymers, introducing fabrication methods that ensure these materials meet essential PPE standards.

Initially, the thesis focuses on the fabrication of nanofiber-based medical textiles from polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymer using an electrospinning process. Key parameters such as solvent selection, polymer concentration, voltage, solution flow rate, and collector distance were systematically studied to assess their impact on nanofiber morphology, diameter, and electrospinnability. Further investigations explored the functional properties of PLA/PHBV-based nanofibers, highlighting the correlation between filtration efficiency and breathability with the nanofiber deposition. Incorporation of PHBV also enhanced marine biodegradation of the composite. Additionally, co-electrospinning and electrospraying techniques were employed to integrate polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) with hydrophobic silica nanoparticles, achieving surface modifications that impart superhydrophobic properties to reduce wettability. The thesis also investigated the electrospinning of non-woven textiles using food waste-derived PLA and PHBV, emphasizing the optimization of catalysts for PLA polymerization and the recovery and purification of PHBV from biomass obtained through food waste hydrolysate. Life cycle assessment (LCA) were conducted to evaluate the potential of these medical textiles in comparison to market alternatives, demonstrating promising economic viability and environmental benefits.

In conclusion, this thesis provides insights into developing environmentally friendly non-woven materials as viable alternatives to fossil-based polymers, emphasizing the use of sustainable raw materials, effective biodegradability post-use, while maintaining the necessary material properties.

Date of Award	22 May 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	City University of Hong Kong
Supervisor	Sze Ki Carol LIN (Supervisor)