Article
Food Science & Technology
Murat Yanat, Madhumitha Muthurajan, Maurice Strubel, Katja Grolle, Karin Schroen
Summary: The migration and biodegradation of ChNC/PLA nanocomposites were investigated, and the results demonstrated their potential for future utilization in food packaging.
FOOD PACKAGING AND SHELF LIFE
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Pei-Yi Wong, Akiyoshi Takeno, Shinya Takahashi, Sook-Wai Phang, Azizah Baharum
Summary: The study involved biodegradation tests on crazed and non-crazed PLA/PAni films by enzymes, indicating that the presence of crazes enhances the action of enzymes, speeding up the biodegradability of the polymer film.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Manoj Kumar Dhal, Kshitij Madhu, Arnab Banerjee, Varatharajan Prasannavenkadesan, Amit Kumar, Vimal Katiyar
Summary: The major drawback of petroleum-based polymer products is pollution, but biodegradable polymers and biocomposites have the potential to replace them in specific applications. In this study, sawdust reinforced PLA/PCL biocomposites were developed and evaluated. The results showed that the addition of sawdust significantly affected the mechanical and thermal properties of the composites, with the best performance observed in the composite with 30% sawdust concentration.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jorge Ivan Castro, Daniela G. Araujo-Rodriguez, Carlos Humberto Valencia-Llano, Diego Lopez Tenorio, Marcela Saavedra, Paula A. Zapata, Carlos David Grande-Tovar
Summary: In this study, the synthesis and characterization of four composite materials using PCL, PLA, and ZnO-NPs were reported. It was demonstrated that ZnO-NPs can act as crosslinking points in the polymer backbone and facilitate the formation of a compact surface morphology. In vivo studies showed that the degradation and resorption of the composite materials were dependent on ZnO-NPs, indicating their potential for soft tissue regeneration.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Feiyan Wu, Zhi Guo, Kangping Cui, Dazhuang Dong, Xue Yang, Jie Li, Zhangzhen Wu, Lele Li, Yaodan Dai, Tao Pan
Summary: Plastic waste has been accumulating in the environment since the 1980s, but little is known about fungi biodegradation in dry environments. This study showed that Phanerochaete chrysosporium (P. chrysposporium), a white rot fungi, could efficiently degrade polylactic acid (PLA) and polystyrene (PS). The visualization of the degradation process and its negative effects on cell development were presented, and potential genes and pathways involved in plastic degradation were identified.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Thuy Tien Nguyen Thanh, Beata Szolnoki, Daniel Vadas, Milan Nacsa, Gyorgy Marosi, Katalin Bocz
Summary: This study comprehensively evaluates the effects of sepiolite and montmorillonite clay minerals on the flame-retardant properties of PLA composites with ammonium polyphosphate. The results show that sepiolite has a more significant impact, and organomodification improves the compatibility of the clay minerals but has contradictory effects on flame retardancy.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND CALORIMETRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yujun Wang, Ting Hu, Wanting Zhang, Jinwei Lin, Zhanyong Wang, Shuxia Lyu, Haibin Tong
Summary: A mesophilic bacterial strain, Bacillus safensis PLA1006, was isolated from landfill soil and tested for growth on polylactic acid (PLA) emulsion medium. The strain produced protease and lipase, and caused whitening and etching on PLA films. It also increased the hydrophilicity of PLA films surface. The hydrolysis products of PLA by the strain contained lactic acid monomers and oligomers.
Article
Polymer Science
Carol Lopez de Dicastillo, Luan Garrido, Eliezer Velasquez, Adrian Rojas, Rafael Gavara
Summary: The study presented a trilayer film design to enhance physical properties of polymers and introduce functionality by incorporating active compounds. The effects of PCL layer and the addition of Q and CNC on optical, morphological, thermal, and barrier properties were evaluated. Quercetin release from bi- and trilayer films demonstrated similar profiles with higher values achieved through the addition of CNC.
Article
Polymer Science
Brenda G. Molina, Guillermo Ocon, Fiorella M. Silva, Jose I. Iribarren, Elaine Armelin, Carlos Aleman
Summary: This study presents an investigation on the shape memory effect of extruded polylactic acid (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) blends. The blends were transformed into films and movable components of articulated specimens using hot pressing and 3D printing. The chemical structure, wettability, thermal properties, and mechanical response of the blends were evaluated and compared with neat PLA and PCL.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Rui Tie, Yansong Huang, Yujuan Jin, Jianjian Sun, Huafeng Tian, Xiao Lei, Gongcheng Li, Lu Wang, Shuang Men
Summary: By grafting long-chain hyperbranched polymers into polylactic acid, the toughness and strength of the polylactic acid can be improved. The most significant toughening effect can be achieved when the addition amount of long-chain hyperbranched polymers is 2.0 phr.
JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zia Ullah Arif, Muhammad Yasir Khalid, Reza Noroozi, Ali Sadeghianmaryan, Meisam Jalalvand, Mokarram Hossain
Summary: This article systematically summarizes the recent advancements in PLA and PCL biodegradable polymer-based composites manufactured through 3DP, as well as their applications in bone, cardiac, neural, vascularized and skin tissue regeneration. The interaction between implanted polymers and evaluation methods are also illustrated. The final section discusses the current challenges and future opportunities in 3DP of PCL and PLA-based composites for biomedical engineering.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Francesca Bandini, Eren Taskin, Filippo Vaccari, Mariangela Soldano, Sergio Piccinini, Alberto Frache, Sara Remelli, Cristina Menta, Pier Sandro Cocconcelli, Edoardo Puglisi
Summary: This study evaluated the degradability of polylactic acid (PLA) and starch-based bioplastics (SBB) under industrial conditions. The results showed that the disintegration of these bioplastics did not meet the standard requirements, with residues found in compost. Phytotoxicity tests indicated that PLA elutriate had the lowest Germination Index, while SBB had a potential negative effect on soil fauna. Further investigation is needed to understand the fate of these materials in industrial conditions and assess the effects of residues in compost.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bo-Yu Peng, Zhibin Chen, Jiabin Chen, Xuefei Zhou, Wei-Min Wu, Yalei Zhang
Summary: The study found that yellow mealworms can efficiently biodegrade PLA, particularly in PLA-bran mixtures, supporting larval development and achieving a conversion efficiency of up to 90.9%. This suggests a promising approach for PLA waste management through resource recovery and insect biomass production.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rohan Shah, Thao V. Nguyen, Anna Marcora, Angela Ruffell, Andrew Hulthen, Khoa Pham, Gene Wijffels, Cate Paull, David J. Beale
Summary: Insect biodegradation of plastics has shown significant progress, providing new possibilities for plastic waste treatment. This study focused on the metabolism of greater wax moth larvae fed on polylactic acid plastic (PLA) blocks. The results revealed metabolic disturbances and oxidative stress in the larvae due to PLA ingestion.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Nor Helya Iman Kamaludin, Hanafi Ismail, Arjulizan Rusli, Sung Ting Sam, Hakimah Osman
Summary: This study investigates the soil burial degradation of PLA/Cs biocomposites prepared by the melt compounding method. The addition of Cs increases the brittleness of the biocomposites and leads to weight loss. The breakdown of PLA ester bonds due to hydrolytic degradation is observed after 12 months of soil degradation. The stiffness of the biocomposites remains consistent, indicating that degradation occurs in the amorphous region and leaves the crystalline part intact.
JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Tetsu Sato, Mariko Takahashi, Takeshi Saito, Masahito Toyonaga, Itsuo Tanuma, Rie Yamada, Satoru Hosoda
Summary: An automatic evaluation system for photooxidation has been developed and successfully applied to assess the photo-OIT of LDPE samples containing photooxidation stabilizers. The system allows independent setting of various measurement conditions and provides detailed information on the photooxidation process.
POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Zongzheng Zuo, Shuxue Zhou
Summary: In this study, three fluoroalkyl trimethoxysilane (FATMS) additives with different chain lengths were incorporated into a two-component polyurethane clearcoat to improve its hydrophobic durability. The coatings modified with FATMS maintained their surface hydrophobicity under various conditions, but quickly lost it when exposed to both UV irradiation and/or high temperature with water. The results suggest that the FATMS route is more suitable for indoor applications at room temperature.
POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Song Li, Feng Zhao, Xueya Wang, Zhihua Liu, Jingze Guo, Yutong Li, Shuangmei Tan, Zhenxiang Xin, Shuai Zhao, Lin Li
Summary: Green flame retardants have garnered attention for their environmental friendliness, but current options fall short in achieving high flame retardancy for flammable polymers and maintaining environmental protection. This study takes a two-pronged approach to address flame retardants and the flame-retardant process. An eco-friendly bio-based synergistic flame retardant (PAU), synthesized using phytic acid (PA) and urea (U), is used to create a flame retardant coating that can be directly applied to any surface shape using polydopamine as an adhesive. The resulting EPS-PAU exhibits excellent flame retardancy, smoke suppression, and light weight while only slightly increasing the density.
POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY
(2024)
