Biodegradable packaging materials conception based on starch and polylactic acid (PLA) reinforced with cellulose

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Sustainable Chemistry

Background:

• Increasing plastic waste from packaging poses environmental challenges.
• Cellulosic polymers from renewable resources like alfa and luffa offer sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics.
• Developing biodegradable materials is crucial for waste reduction and natural resource preservation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize biodegradable films from plasticized starch and cellulose fibers from alfa and luffa.
• To evaluate the mechanical properties and biodegradation kinetics of developed cellulosic materials.
• To explore the potential of these materials in reducing conventional plastic waste and promoting sustainable development.

Main Methods:

• Laboratory-scale synthesis of plasticized starch films.
• Investigation of polylactic acid (PLA) and cellulose fiber mixtures using melt extrusion.
• Mechanical property testing of developed films and mixtures.
• Assessment of biodegradation kinetics for both plasticized starch and PLA/cellulose fiber materials.

Main Results:

• Plasticized starch films exhibited attractive mechanical properties with low plasticizer content (12-17%).
• Incorporating 10% cellulose fibers from alfa and luffa improved the mechanical properties of polylactic acid (PLA) mixtures.
• Both developed materials demonstrated biodegradability.
• Plasticized starch showed a faster biodegradation rate compared to PLA/cellulose fiber mixtures.

Conclusions:

• Biodegradable films derived from plasticized starch and PLA/cellulose fibers represent promising sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics.
• These materials contribute to waste reduction and align with sustainable development goals.
• Plasticized starch films offer a faster biodegradation pathway, highlighting their potential for specific applications.