Recent progress on biodegradable polylactic acid based blends and their biocomposites: A comprehensive review

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Growing demand for sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics.
• Need for renewable and biodegradable polymers to reduce environmental impact.
• Polylactic acid (PLA) is a commercially available biodegradable polymer with desirable strength but inherent brittleness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate blends and biocomposites of polylactic acid (PLA) with poly(butylene adipate co terephthalate) (PBAT).
• To evaluate the mechanical, rheological, and biodegradation properties of these biopolymer blends.
• To assess their potential as biodegradable replacements for conventional plastics.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of PLA/PBAT blends and biocomposites.
• Characterization of mechanical properties (e.g., strength, stiffness, flexibility).
• Rheological analysis to understand flow behavior.
• Biodegradation studies to assess environmental decomposition.

Main Results:

• Blends of PLA and PBAT demonstrate modified mechanical properties, potentially overcoming PLA's brittleness.
• Rheological behavior of the blends is investigated to understand processability.
• Biodegradation characteristics are evaluated to confirm environmental compatibility.

Conclusions:

• PLA/PBAT blends show promise as viable biodegradable alternatives to conventional polymers.
• Further research into optimizing blend composition is crucial for specific applications.
• These biopolymer systems contribute to the development of a circular economy.