The Effect of Poly (Ethylene glycol) Emulation on the Degradation of PLA/Starch Composites

Abstract

As a hydrophilic renewable polymer, starch has been widely used in biocompatible plastics as a filler for more than two decades. The present study aimed at investigating the effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG), as a plasticizer, on the physicochemical properties of a hybrid composite—polylactic acid (PLA) and thermoplastic starch (TPS). A solvent evaporation process was adopted to gelatinize the starch and disparate PEG contents ranging from 3 to 15 wt.% (with respect to the sample weight) were examined. It was revealed that the increase in the PEG content was accompanied by an increment in the starch gelatinization degree. Referring to the microstructural analyses, the TPS/PLA mixture yielded a ductile hybrid composite with a fine morphology and a uniform phase. Nevertheless, two different solvents, including acetone and ethanol, were used to assess if they had any effect on the hybrid’s morphology, tensile strength and thermal properties. It was found that ethanol culminated in a porous hybrid composite with a finer morphology and better starch distribution in the PLA structure than acetone. As the result of PEG addition to the composite, the crystallinity and tensile strength were decreased, whereas the elongation increased. The hydrolytic degradation of samples was assessed under different pH and thermal conditions. Moreover, the microbial degradation of the PLA/TPS hybrid composite containing different PEG molar fractions was investigated in the soil for 45 days. The rate of degradation in both hydrolytic and biodegradation increased in the samples with a higher amount of PEG with ethanol solvent.

Nylon—A material introduction and overview for biomedical applications

“…Inherently, nylon is bio‐inert and does not promote any signaling activity within the body's cells, 46 but the cells can adhere to nylon due to its hydrophilic nature. These properties are useful for composite applications to reduce the weight, modify mechanical properties or promote stronger mechanical interlocking between the implant and the human body 47 . Nylon‐based medical devices explored in this review are sutures, tubes, catheters, catheter balloons, and dental dentures.…”

A Brief Review on the Influence of Ionic Liquids on the Mechanical, Thermal, and Chemical Properties of Biodegradable Polymer Composites

“…Figure 2 exhibits the chemical structures of PLA, PBS, and PCL. The biodegradation process of biodegradable polymers typically involves the digestion of the polymers by microorganisms, followed by their conversion into water and carbon dioxide [43]. Biodegradation of synthetic biodegradable polymers such as PLA, PBS, and PCL depends on their degradation condition, as they biodegrade more quickly in compost than in soil.…”

The Life Cycle Assessment for Polylactic Acid (PLA) to Make It a Low-Carbon Material

“…The majority of the manufactured PLA is employed in packaging [ 26 ]. Furthermore, due to the biodegradability of PLA, it provides several EoL options, including mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, landfilling, and industrially composting [ 27 , 28 ]. It should also be noted that compostability is the same as biodegradability but under aerobic conditions for 6–12 weeks [ 29 , 30 ].…”