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July 10, 2024
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Development and characterization of thermoplastic zein biopolymers plasticized with glycerol suitable for injection molding

Publicated to: INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS. 218 119035- - 2024-10-15 218(), DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2024.119035

Authors:

Rojas-Lema, S; Gomez-Caturla, J; Balart, R; Arrieta, MP; Garcia-Sanoguera, D
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Affiliations

Grp Polimeros Caracterizac & Aplicac POLCA, Madrid, Spain - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid, Dept Ingn Quim Ind & Medio Ambiente, Escuela Tecn Super Ingn Ind, ETSII UPM, Madrid, Spain - Author
Univ Politecn Valencia, Inst Univ Invest Tecnol Mat, ITM UPV, Alcoy, Spain - Author
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Abstract

This research focuses on the development of high environmentally efficiency materials based on zein plasticized with glycerol, processed through extrusion and injection molding techniques. The work addresses the study of the influence of glycerol content on the processability of thermoplastic zein (TPZ), as well as its effect on mechanical and thermomechanical properties, thermal transitions, degradation, microstructure, zein-plasticizer interactions, surface appearance, and wettability. The incorporation of glycerol facilitates the processing of thermoplastic zein. To process these materials through extrusion and injection molding, a minimum amount of 15 wt% glycerol is required, while formulations with more than 40 wt% glycerol expel part of the plasticizer through exudation. Through these processing techniques, it is possible to obtain thermoplastic zein with a tensile strength of up to 27.9 MPa, and elongation at break between 5 % and 6 %. The glass transition temperature, Tg, is significantly reduced from 43 degrees C to values around 37 degrees C, demonstrating the plasticizing efficiency that glycerol can exert on zein. This work demonstrates the feasibility of extrusion and injection molding processes for obtaining glycerol-plasticized thermoplastic zein (TPZ), expanding the possibilities of zein use as a potential substitute of some petroleum-derived commodity plastics.
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Keywords

AcidBiomoleculesBiopolymerBiopolymer, proteinBiopolymersBlendsChemical compoundCommodityEfficiencyExtrusionExtrusion moldingFilmsGlass transitionGlycerolHydrophobicitInjection moldingInjection molding techniquesMaterial-basedMechanical and thermo-mechanical propertiesMicrostructureMorphologyPlasticizersPolymerProcessabilityProcessing techniqueProteiProteinReinforced plasticsResearch focusSecondary structure estimationSurface appearanceSurface wettabilityTensile propertiesTensile strengthThermal transitionsThermoplasticThermoplasticsZein

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2024 there are still no calculated indicators, but in 2023, it was in position 6/129, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Agronomy. Notably, the journal is positioned above the 90th percentile.

Independientemente del impacto esperado determinado por el canal de difusión, es importante destacar el impacto real observado de la propia aportación.

Según las diferentes agencias de indexación, el número de citas acumuladas por esta publicación hasta la fecha 2026-04-25:

  • WoS: 11
  • Scopus: 13
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Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2026-04-25:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 38 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

    It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

    • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
    • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: https://oa.upm.es/82784/

    As a result of the publication of the work in the institutional repository, statistical usage data has been obtained that reflects its impact. In terms of dissemination, we can state that, as of

    • Views: 236
    • Downloads: 361
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    Awards linked to the item

    This research is a part of the grant PID2020-116496RB-C22, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and the grant TED2021-131762A-I00, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by the European Union "NextGenerationEU"/PRTR. Authors also thank Generalitat Valenciana-GVA for funding this research through the grant numbers AICO/2021/025 and CIGE/2021/094. J. Gomez-Caturla wants to thank FPU20/01732 grant funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by ESF Investing in your future. R. Balart wants to thank "Vicerrectorado de Investigacion" at Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (UPV) for partial funding of this research through the program "Funds for First Research Projects" (PAID-06-23) . Microscopy services at UPV are acknowledged for their help in using and collecting FESEM images.
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