7 Biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA)
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James Goodsel
Abstract
Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable material that can be processed using the common processing techniques, such as injection molding, extrusion, and blow molding. PLA has widely been researched and tested due to its biodegradable nature. As a biodegradable material, PLA can be subject to some inherently poor qualities, such as its brittleness, weak mechanical properties, small processing windows, or poor electrical and thermal properties. In order to nullify some of these issues, nanofiller composites have been added to the polymer matrix, such as nanocellulose, nanoclays, carbon nanotubes, and graphene. Dye-clay hybrid nanopigments (DCNP) have been used to explore potential applications in the food packaging industry with promising results. Several different compatibilizers have been studied as well, with the goal of increasing the mechanical properties of blends. A key application for PLA is in wound healing and surgical work, with a few studies described in the present chapter. Finally, the superwettability of dopamine modified PLA is examined, with promising results for separation of oily wastewater.
Abstract
Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable material that can be processed using the common processing techniques, such as injection molding, extrusion, and blow molding. PLA has widely been researched and tested due to its biodegradable nature. As a biodegradable material, PLA can be subject to some inherently poor qualities, such as its brittleness, weak mechanical properties, small processing windows, or poor electrical and thermal properties. In order to nullify some of these issues, nanofiller composites have been added to the polymer matrix, such as nanocellulose, nanoclays, carbon nanotubes, and graphene. Dye-clay hybrid nanopigments (DCNP) have been used to explore potential applications in the food packaging industry with promising results. Several different compatibilizers have been studied as well, with the goal of increasing the mechanical properties of blends. A key application for PLA is in wound healing and surgical work, with a few studies described in the present chapter. Finally, the superwettability of dopamine modified PLA is examined, with promising results for separation of oily wastewater.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- List of contributing authors XI
- 1 Introduction: biopolymers and biocomposites 1
- 2 Lignin-based polymers 27
- 3 Cellulose-based polymers 65
- 4 Plant oil-based polymers 113
- 5 Bio-based polyurethane aqueous dispersions 155
- 6 Soybean-based polymers and composites 189
- 7 Biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) 209
- 8 Bio-based polyhydroxyalkanoates blends and composites 235
- 9 Biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL) based polymer and composites 255
- 10 Biodegradable poly(butylene adipate-coterephthalate) (PBAT) 279
- 11 Bio-based polyamide 309
- 12 Biodegradable shape-memory polymers and composites 331
- 13 Poly(glycerol sebacate) – a revolutionary biopolymer 353
- Index 375
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- List of contributing authors XI
- 1 Introduction: biopolymers and biocomposites 1
- 2 Lignin-based polymers 27
- 3 Cellulose-based polymers 65
- 4 Plant oil-based polymers 113
- 5 Bio-based polyurethane aqueous dispersions 155
- 6 Soybean-based polymers and composites 189
- 7 Biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) 209
- 8 Bio-based polyhydroxyalkanoates blends and composites 235
- 9 Biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL) based polymer and composites 255
- 10 Biodegradable poly(butylene adipate-coterephthalate) (PBAT) 279
- 11 Bio-based polyamide 309
- 12 Biodegradable shape-memory polymers and composites 331
- 13 Poly(glycerol sebacate) – a revolutionary biopolymer 353
- Index 375
