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Cited by 40Natural Fiber Reinforced Compositesbiodegradable polymer synthesis and propertiesDyeing and Modifying Textile Fibers

Valorization of Hemp Hurds as Bio-Sourced Additives in PLA-Based Biocomposites

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Momeni, Sina, Safder, Muhammad, Khondoker, Mohammad Abu Hasan, Elias, Anastasia Leila·2021·Polymers
DOI 10.3390/polym13213786PMC PMC8587083
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Abstract

Sourced from agricultural waste, hemp hurds are a low-cost renewable material with high stiffness; however, despite their potential to be used as low-cost filler in natural fiber reinforced polymer biocomposites, they are often discarded. In this study, the potential to add value to hemp hurds by incorporating them into poly(lactic acid) (PLA) biopolymer to form bio-based materials for packaging applications is investigated. However, as with many plant fibers, the inherent hydrophilicity of hemp hurds leads to inferior filler-matrix interfacial interactions, compromising the mechanical properties of the resulting biocomposites. In this study, two chemical treatments, alkaline (NaOH) and alkaline/peroxide (NaOH/H2O2) were employed to treat hemp hurds to improve their miscibility with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) for the formation of biocomposites. The effects of reinforcement content (5, 10, and 15 wt. %), chemical treatments (purely alkaline vs. alkaline/peroxide) and treatment cycles (1 and 3 cycles) on the mechanical and thermal properties of the biocomposites were investigated. The biocomposites of treated hemp hurd powder exhibited enhanced thermal stability in the temperature range commonly used to process PLA (130–180 °C). The biocomposites containing 15 wt. % hemp hurd powder prepared using a single-cycle alkaline/peroxide treatment (PLA/15APHH1) exhibited a Young’s modulus of 2674 MPa, which is 70% higher than that of neat PLA and 9.3% higher than that of biocomposites comprised of PLA containing the same wt. % of untreated hemp hurd powder (PLA/15UHH). Furthermore, the tensile strength of the PLA/15APHH1 biocomposite was found to be 62.6 MPa, which was 6.5% lower than that of neat PLA and 23% higher than that of the PLA/15UHH sample. The results suggest that the fabricated PLA/hemp hurd powder biocomposites have great potential to be utilized in green and sustainable packaging applications.

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  • Hemp hurds account for about two-thirds of the plant by weight (70 to 75% of the hemp stalk) and are often overlooked as a low-value residue byproduct.

    “Although hemp hurds account for about two-thirds of the plant by weight (70 to 75% of the hemp stalk) which is a sustainable fiber source, yet often overlooked as a low-value residue byproduct (Momeni et al. 2021; Muangmeesri et al. 2021; Pal and Lucia 2019).”

    From A critical review of industrial fiber hemp anatomy, agronomic practices, and valorization into sustainable bioproducts (2025) · cites this paper as Momeni et al. 2021

    The Introduction describes hemp hurds as an underutilized, low-cost byproduct often considered waste. It does not state that hurds make up 70–75% of the stalk or about two-thirds of the plant by weight; its 70–74% figure refers to the cellulose content of bast fiber, not the proportion of hurds. (LLM, conf=0.89)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Hurds contain 18% to 27% hemicellulose and pectin, 21% to 28% lignin, 40% to 48% cellulose, 2.2% extractives, and 1.4% ash content.

    “Hurds contain 18% to 27% hemicellulose and pectin, 21% to 28% lignin, and 40% to 48% cellulose, 2.2% extractives, and 1.4% ash content which makes it a viable option for use as a polymer reinforcement agent (Lawson et al. 2022; Momeni et al. 2021; Naithani et al. 2020; Stevulova et al. 2014).”

    From A critical review of industrial fiber hemp anatomy, agronomic practices, and valorization into sustainable bioproducts (2025) · cites this paper as Momeni et al. 2021

    The Introduction (page unavailable in our copy) states that hemp hurds have 40–48% cellulose and identifies them as a potential source of polymer reinforcement. It mentions hemicellulose, lignin, and pectin but does not give the claimed percentages for them, extractives, or ash. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Momeni, S., Safder, M., Khondoker, M. A. H., & Elias, A. L.
Affiliations
University of Alberta (CA)
Corresponding author
Elias, Anastasia Leila
ORCID
Venue
Polymers
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2021-11-01
Volume
13
Issue
21
Pages
3786
ISSN
2073-4360 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/polym13213786
PMC
PMC8587083
OpenAlex
W3210713929
Cited by
40
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 5
FWCI
1.77
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Polymers (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
Alberta Innovates (BFI-19-031)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Polymers and Plastics › Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Biomaterials › biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Building and Construction › Dyeing and Modifying Textile Fibers
Keywords
hemp hurd, polylactic acid, natural fiber fillers, alkali treatment, filler-matrix adhesion, hydrophilicity, mechanical properties, thermal stability, sustainable packaging, agricultural waste valorization

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