Biodegradgradable devices, and methods of making the same

A method of manufacturing a molded biodegradable device, comprising:

• comminuting a starting lignocellulosic biomass to create a particulate lignocellulosic biomass, the particulate lignocellulosic biomass having an average particle size less than the starting lignocellulosic biomass,
• wherein the particulate lignocellulosic biomass has an average particle size less than or equal to 60 micrometers, and
• wherein the lignocellulosic biomass is selected from at least one of the group consisting of miscanthus grass lignocellulosic biomass, date palm tree lignocellulosic biomass, willow tree lignocellulosic biomass, poplar tree lignocellulosic biomass, and sawmill waste lignocellulosic biomass, and wherein the non-cellulosic material is not separated or removed from the lignocellulosic biomass;
• mixing the particulate lignocellulosic biomass with a biodegradable polymer consisting of a polylactic acid polymer in an extruder to create a bioplastic blend;
• mixing a plasticizer with the bioplastic blend in the extruder to create a moldable bioplastic blend,
• wherein the plasticizer is selected from at least one of the group consisting of epoxidized palm oil, epoxidized palm olein, epoxidized soybean oil, 1-lactide, di-2-ethylhexyl azelate, dipropylene glycol dibenzoate, tricresyl phosphate, cresyl diphenyl phosphate, 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate, di-n-octyl phenyl phosphate, tri-n-hexyl phosphate, diethyl phthalate, butyl benzyl phthalate, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, diisodecyl phthalate, di-2-ethylhexyl sebacate, and di-2-ethylhexyl terephthalate;
• and
• molding the moldable bioplastic blend to create the molded biodegradable device in which the particulate lignocellulosic biomass comprises greater than 60 percent by weight of the molded biodegradable device.