Biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA)

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable material that can be processed using the common processing techniques, such as injection molding, extrusion, and blow molding. PLA has widely been researched and tested due to its biodegradable nature. As a biodegradable material, PLA can be subject to some i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPhysical sciences reviews Vol. 8; no. 7; pp. 869 - 894
Main Authors Goodsel, James, Madbouly, Samy
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published De Gruyter 28.05.2021
Subjects
biodegradable PLA
nanocomposites
polymer blends
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Summary:Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable material that can be processed using the common processing techniques, such as injection molding, extrusion, and blow molding. PLA has widely been researched and tested due to its biodegradable nature. As a biodegradable material, PLA can be subject to some inherently poor qualities, such as its brittleness, weak mechanical properties, small processing windows, or poor electrical and thermal properties. In order to nullify some of these issues, nanofiller composites have been added to the polymer matrix, such as nanocellulose, nanoclays, carbon nanotubes, and graphene. Dye-clay hybrid nanopigments (DCNP) have been used to explore potential applications in the food packaging industry with promising results. Several different compatibilizers have been studied as well, with the goal of increasing the mechanical properties of blends. A key application for PLA is in wound healing and surgical work, with a few studies described in the present chapter. Finally, the superwettability of dopamine modified PLA is examined, with promising results for separation of oily wastewater.
ISSN:2365-659X
2365-659X
DOI:10.1515/psr-2020-0072