Biopolyester-based systems containing naturally occurring compounds with enhanced thermo-oxidative stability

Area of Science:

• Polymer Science
• Materials Science
• Biomaterials

Background:

• Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable polymer with potential in various applications.
• PLA is susceptible to thermo-oxidative aging, limiting its long-term stability and use.
• Developing sustainable stabilization methods for PLA is crucial for its wider adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of natural phenolic and polyphenolic compounds as stabilizers for PLA.
• To evaluate the impact of these natural additives on PLA's thermo-oxidative stability and material properties.
• To explore the potential of creating fully bio-based polymer systems with enhanced durability.

Main Methods:

• Incorporation of natural antioxidants: ferulic acid (FerAc), vanillic acid (VanAc), quercetin (Querc), and vitamin E (VitE) into PLA.
• Characterization of PLA/natural compound systems using rheological, spectrometric, and thermal analyses.
• Assessment of thermo-oxidative degradation behavior of neat PLA and stabilized PLA formulations.

Main Results:

• All tested natural compounds acted as plasticizers, reducing rheological functions without significantly altering PLA crystallinity.
• Spectrometric and thermal analyses confirmed the remarkable antioxidant action of all evaluated natural stabilizers.
• PLA formulations with natural compounds exhibited enhanced resistance to thermo-oxidative degradation compared to neat PLA.

Conclusions:

• Naturally occurring phenolic and polyphenolic compounds serve as effective, ecofriendly stabilizers for PLA.
• These stabilizers contribute to enhanced thermo-oxidative stability, creating fully bio-based polymer systems.
• The developed PLA systems are suitable for demanding biomedical applications requiring long-term stability.