Valorizing lignin through solvent-free plasma modification for high-performance polylactic acid bioplastics

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Sustainable Chemistry

Background:

• Petroleum-based plastics pose environmental challenges, necessitating sustainable alternatives.
• Polylactic acid (PLA) is a promising bio-based plastic but suffers from brittleness and limited functionality.
• Existing modifications often involve harsh chemicals or lack comprehensive performance enhancement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a green and effective strategy for enhancing PLA properties.
• To improve mechanical strength, toughness, and UV resistance of PLA.
• To create fully bio-based PLA bioplastics with tailored performance for sustainable applications.

Main Methods:

• Solvent-free plasma modification of lignin (P-LG) to create functional additives.
• Incorporation of P-LG and bio-based epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) into a PLA matrix.
• Characterization of mechanical properties, crystallinity, and UV blocking performance.

Main Results:

• PLA/P-LG blends showed increased crystallinity and high UV blocking rates (up to 96.6%).
• Addition of 9% ESO dramatically improved toughness, with elongation at break increasing by 2224% and tensile toughness by 1689% compared to pure PLA.
• The developed bioplastics exhibit enhanced mechanical properties and UV shielding.

Conclusions:

• A fully green strategy was established for fabricating enhanced PLA bioplastics.
• The synergistic use of P-LG and ESO offers a versatile route to tailor PLA performance.
• These improved bio-based materials hold potential for sustainable packaging and agricultural films.