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Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer
Published on: November 30, 2020
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Enhancing the Inherent Flame Retardancy of Polylactic Acid by Anchoring Phytic Acid-Lysine Using Epoxidized Tannic
Jazmine Aiya D Marquez1, Wan Zhang1, Navaporn Suphavilai1
1Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States.
ACS Applied Polymer Materials
|December 18, 2025
Summary
This study introduces a novel, eco-friendly flame retardant system for polylactic acid (PLA) using epoxidized tannic acid (ETA) and phytic acid-lysine (PALys). The biobased flame retardants significantly enhance PLA
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Sustainable Chemistry
Background:
- Polylactic acid (PLA) exhibits inherent flammability, limiting its industrial use.
- Existing flame retardants (FRs) often involve complex synthesis, toxic chemicals, and reduced biodegradability.
- There is a need for effective, biobased FRs that maintain PLA's environmental advantages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel, biobased flame retardant system for PLA.
- To investigate the synergistic flame retardant effects of epoxidized tannic acid (ETA) and phytic acid-lysine (PALys).
- To understand the flame retardancy mechanism of the ETA/PALys system in PLA.
Main Methods:
- Melt blending of PLA with epoxidized tannic acid (ETA) and phytic acid-lysine (PALys).
- Thermal stability analysis using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).
- Flammability testing including microscale combustion calorimetry (MCC), limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL-94, and cone calorimetry.
- Mechanism investigation using scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and thermogravimetry-mass spectrometry (TGA-MS).
Main Results:
- Addition of 1 wt% ETA and 5 wt% PALys significantly improved PLA thermal stability, reducing the weight loss rate from 40.69 to 2.99 wt%/min.
- The PLA/1ETA/5PALys composite achieved a high LOI of 34% vol, a UL-94 V-0 rating, and a 50% reduction in flame out time.
- Char formation was observed, and gas-phase flame inhibition was confirmed through the emission of non-combustible gases (e.g., ammonia, CO2, H2O).
Conclusions:
- The combination of ETA and PALys acts as an effective biobased flame retardant system for PLA.
- ETA functions as an anchor and carbon source, while PALys provides synergistic phosphorus-nitrogen flame retardancy.
- The developed FR system offers a sustainable solution for enhancing PLA's fire safety without compromising its biodegradability.
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