Agradecimentos: The authors acknowledge São Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP (Grant 2016/09588-9 - Ph.D. fellowship of F.V.F and 2016/08595-1), CAPES and CNPq, State University of Amazonas for financial support. The authors thank the LNNano for technical support during X-ray microtomography and electron microscopy analysis Ver menos

Abstract: Biodegradable composites based on poly(butyleneadipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and three differentnaturalfibers (Croton lanjouwensis - Fiber C,Malvas-trum tomentosum - Fiber M, andTrema micrantha - Fiber T) from the Amazon forest have been reported forthefirst time. Naturalfibers were extracted throughmechanical processing and the composites were pre-pared by melt mixing procedure. All composites showedgreater modulus of elasticity than neat polymer and thisimprovement varies according to the type offiber usedas reinforcement. Addition of Fiber C increased 48% themodulus of elasticity of the polymer, while the additionof the Fibers M and T increased 70 and 72% the modu-lus of elasticity of the PBAT, respectively. The resultsreported in the present work support the idea that theabove-mentioned naturalfibers can be used asfillermaterial to obtain environmentally friendly polymer com-posites with improved properties Ver menos