Synthesis of Lignin and PLA/PBAT Films: Biodegradability and Environmental Impacts

We investigated the synthesis and characterization of biodegradable films composed of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), with lignin as a natural additive and dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as a compatibilizer. The PLA/PBAT ratio of 70:30 was optimized and the DCP was incorporated at different concentrations to enhance interfacial adhesion. The effects of lignin addition (0.005-0.02%) on the mechanical, thermal, and biodegradation properties were evaluated using SEM, FTIR, XRD, and TGA analyses. The optimal formulation had improved tensile strength, elongation at break, and thermal stability, with the highest degradation rate of 44.22% after 90 days of soil burial. Life cycle assessment using SimaPro software (SimaPro 9.1.1.1) and ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint indicated that the film containing 0.005% lignin had the lowest environmental impact. The primary environmental concerns were marine and freshwater ecotoxicity, associated with solvent use. Based on the results, incorporating small amounts of lignin enhanced the biodegradability and reduced the environmental footprint of the PLA/PBAT films, highlighting their potential for sustainable packaging applications.