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Hydrolytic degradation of polylactic acid (PLA) and its composites

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  • Elsawy, Moataz A.
  • Kim, Ki-Hyun
  • Park, Jae-Woo
  • Deep, Akash

Abstract

Biodegradable polymers are seen as a potential solution to the environmental problems generated by plastic waste. In particular, the renewable aliphatic polyesters of poly(hydroxyacid)-type homopolymers and copolymers consisting of polylactic acid (PLA), poly(glycolic acid) (PGA), and poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) constitute the most promising bioresorbable materials for applications in biomedical and consumer applications. Among those polymers, PLA has attracted particular attention as a substitute for conventional petroleum-based plastics. PLA is synthesized by the fermentation of renewable agricultural sources, including corn, cellulose, and other polysaccharides. Although some of its characteristics are disadvantageous (e.g., poor melt properties, mechanical brittleness, low heat resistance, and slow crystallization), there exist potential routes to resolve these shortcomings. These include copolymerization, blending, plasticization modification, or the addition of reinforcing phases (e.g., chitosan (Cs), cellulose, and starch). In this review, we discuss the degradation mechanisms of PLA and its modified form in the environment, current issues that hinder the achievement of good Cs/PLA combination, and ways to overcome some of these problems. Furthermore, our discussion is extended to cover the subjects of hydrolytic degradation and weathering effects with different Cs/PLA blends.

Suggested Citation

  • Elsawy, Moataz A. & Kim, Ki-Hyun & Park, Jae-Woo & Deep, Akash, 2017. "Hydrolytic degradation of polylactic acid (PLA) and its composites," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 1346-1352.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:79:y:2017:i:c:p:1346-1352
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2017.05.143
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bardhan, Soubhik K. & Gupta, Shelaka & Gorman, M.E. & Haider, M. Ali, 2015. "Biorenewable chemicals: Feedstocks, technologies and the conflict with food production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 506-520.
    2. Abdul Khalil, H.P.S. & Davoudpour, Y. & Saurabh, Chaturbhuj K. & Hossain, Md. S. & Adnan, A. S & Dungani, R. & Paridah, M.T. & Islam Sarker, Md. Z. & Fazita, M.R Nurul & Syakir, M.I & Haafiz, M.K.M., 2016. "A review on nanocellulosic fibres as new material for sustainable packaging: Process and applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 823-836.
    3. Sabbagh, Farzaneh & Muhamad, Ida Idayu, 2017. "Production of poly-hydroxyalkanoate as secondary metabolite with main focus on sustainable energy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 95-104.
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    Cited by:

    1. Khan, Abir & Sapuan, S.M. & Yusuf, J. & Siddiqui, Vasi Uddin & Zainudin, E.S. & Zuhri, M.Y.M. & Tuah Baharuddin, B.T. Hang & Ansari, Mubashshir Ahmad & Rahman, A. Azim A., 2023. "An examination of cutting-edge developments in Bamboo-PLA composite research: A comprehensive review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    2. Rumana Hossain & Md Tasbirul Islam & Riya Shanker & Debishree Khan & Katherine Elizabeth Sarah Locock & Anirban Ghose & Heinz Schandl & Rita Dhodapkar & Veena Sahajwalla, 2022. "Plastic Waste Management in India: Challenges, Opportunities, and Roadmap for Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-34, April.
    3. Magdalena Zaborowska & Katarzyna Bernat & Bartosz Pszczółkowski & Irena Wojnowska-Baryła & Dorota Kulikowska, 2021. "Challenges in Sustainable Degradability of Bio-Based and Oxo-Degradable Packaging Materials during Anaerobic Thermophilic Treatment," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-19, August.
    4. Adele Folino & Aimilia Karageorgiou & Paolo S. Calabrò & Dimitrios Komilis, 2020. "Biodegradation of Wasted Bioplastics in Natural and Industrial Environments: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-49, July.

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