Biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA)

James Goodsel; Samy Madbouly

doi:10.1515/psr-2020-0072

Article

Biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA)

James Goodsel and Samy Madbouly

Published/Copyright: May 28, 2021

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From the journal Physical Sciences Reviews Volume 8 Issue 7

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.

Keywords: biodegradable PLA; nanocomposites; polymer blends

Corresponding author: James Goodsel, Behrend College, School of Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, Erie, PA 16563, USA, E-mail: jpg5738@psu.edu

Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.
Research funding: None declared.
Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding this article.

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Published Online: 2021-05-28

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https://doi.org/10.1515/psr-2020-0072

Keywords for this article

biodegradable PLA; nanocomposites; polymer blends