Evaluation of biodegradation of polylactic acid mineral composites in composting conditions

Flynn, Allison; Torres, Lennard; Hart‐Cooper, William M.; McCaffrey, Zach; Glenn, Gregory M.; Wood, Delilah F.; Orts, William J.

doi:10.1002/app.48939

Cited by 11 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Silva et al (2020a) composted PLA and starch biodegradable materials and observed cracks, pickles, and irregular surfaces early in the composting process. This change in the material's surface makes it more susceptible to biodegradation due to increased surface area and water permeation, accelerating hydrolysis (Flynn et al, 2020).…”

Section: Microstructural Characterizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biodegradable Material Formulated With Oat Hulls in the Composting Process of Household Organic Waste and Tree Pruning

Moiser¹,

Bilck²,

Yamashita³

et al. 2022

Rev. AIDIS ing. cienc. ambient.

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With attractive research and development of new biodegradable polymers and their packaging applications, there is a need to address their environmental performance. This study aimed to compare the compostability of biodegradable materials (BM) produced with cassava starch, glycerol, poly (lactic) acid, with and without oat hulls to compost organic waste and also to evaluate if the BM influenced the compost process and its final product. The composting was carried out in 100 L reactors, 30 L of which were occupied with household organic waste and 66 L with tree pruning. The process was monitored for 60 days using the following parameters: temperature, C/N ratio, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, pH, electrical conductivity, series of solids, humidity, and reduction in mass and volume. At the end of the experiment, the degradation of the BM was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In the SEM images, cracks, voids, and irregular surfaces were observed, which did not exist in the BM before composting. The degradation of BM occurred, and their presence did not interfere in the composting process or the final compost's quality.

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Section: Microstructural Characterizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biodegradable Material Formulated With Oat Hulls in the Composting Process of Household Organic Waste and Tree Pruning

Moiser¹,

Bilck²,

Yamashita³

et al. 2022

Rev. AIDIS ing. cienc. ambient.

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“…Some authors have demonstrated that some particles catalyze biodegradation. Incorporating nano clays into PLA generally accelerates PLA biodegradation rate in composting conditions due to the clays’ high relative hydrophilicity, which can accelerate polymer hydrolysis 7–9 . According to Castro‐Aguirre, 7 the effect of the nano clays on the initial PLA molar mass during processing plays a crucial role in biodegradation studies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Incorporating nano clays into PLA generally accelerates PLA biodegradation rate in composting conditions due to the clays' high relative hydrophilicity, which can accelerate polymer hydrolysis. [7][8][9] According to Castro-Aguirre, 7 the effect of the nano clays on the initial PLA molar mass during processing plays a crucial role in biodegradation studies. Starch incorporation enhanced PLA biodegradation, as starch is hydrophilic and acts as a biological fuel for the growth of microorganisms.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Starch incorporation enhanced PLA biodegradation, as starch is hydrophilic and acts as a biological fuel for the growth of microorganisms 10 . Flynn et al 9 observed that adding a soil amendment product ( NTM), a mineral matter from coal extraction, accelerates the biodegradation of PLA in composted soil, possibly by inducing the production of proteases by microorganisms that have been found to degrade PLA.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Biodegradation behavior of poly (lactic acid) samples obtained by three‐dimensional printing: Influence of temperature and pigment presence

Gonzaga,

Babetto,

Gonçalves

et al. 2024

Polymer Engineering & Sci

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In this study, the biodegradation behavior in the soil of natural and pigmented poly (lactic acid) (PLA) plates obtained by three‐dimensional (3D) printing or by compression molding was evaluated by the respirometry method at three different temperatures: 21, 28, and 35°C. PLA samples before and after aerobic biodegradation tests were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), and size exclusion chromatography analysis. The increase in test temperature enhanced the biodegradation process. At a test temperature of 35°C, the maximum biodegradation rates of natural PLA and pigmented PLA were 65% and 68% higher, respectively, compared to the maximum biodegradation rate observed at 21°C. DSC and TG analysis indicate that pigmented PLA samples were more susceptible to degradation by hydrolysis. However, the rate of biodegradation efficiency was lower in pigmented PLA samples, with a decrease of 16%, 24%, and 14% at 21, 28, and 35°C, respectively, compared to natural PLA. This behavior indicated that pigment hindered the hydrolysis by‐products absorption by microorganisms. Additionally, the presence of micro voids in PLA samples obtained through 3D printing accelerated the rate of biodegradation efficiency by 32% at 28°C compared to pressed samples.Highlights Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) plate biodegradation in soil was analyzed using respirometry method. Temperature, pigment presence, and sample preparation method were considered. Higher temperatures enhanced both natural and pigmented PLA biodegradation. Pigments appeared to act as antimicrobial agents, slowing down the process. Water presence in the micro voids accelerated hydrolysis and biodegradation.

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“…This issue has been investigated through various approaches. Several studies suggest the use of additives to accelerate PLA disintegration [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ]. However, this strategy involves a trade-off between durability and degradability.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Degradation of Polylactic Acid Using Sub-Critical Water for Compost

et al. 2020

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Polylactic acid (PLA) is expected to replace many general-purpose plastics, especially those used for food packaging and agricultural mulch. In composting, the degradation speed of PLA is affected by the molecular weight, crystallinity, and microbial activity. PLA with a molecular weight of less than 10,000 has been reported to have higher decomposition rates than those with higher molecular weight. However, PLA degradation generates water-soluble products, including lactic acid, that decrease the pH of soil or compost. As acidification of soil or compost affects farm products, their pH should be controlled. Therefore, a method for determining suitable reaction conditions to achieve ideal decomposition products is necessary. This study aimed to determine suitable reaction conditions for generating preprocessed PLA with a molecular weight lower than 10,000 without producing water-soluble contents. To this end, we investigated the degradation of PLA using sub-critical water. The molecular weight and ratio of water-soluble contents (WSCs) affecting the pH of preprocessed products were evaluated through kinetic analysis, and crystallinity was analyzed through differential scanning calorimetry. Preprocessed PLA was prepared under the determined ideal conditions, and its characteristics in soil were observed. The results showed that the crystallization rate increased with PLA decomposition but remained lower than 30%. In addition, the pH of compost mixed with 40% of preprocessed PLA could be controlled within pH 5.4–5.5 over 90 days. Overall, soil mixed with the preprocessed PLA prepared under the determined ideal conditions remains suitable for plant growth.

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Evaluation of biodegradation of polylactic acid mineral composites in composting conditions

Cited by 11 publications

References 32 publications

Biodegradable Material Formulated With Oat Hulls in the Composting Process of Household Organic Waste and Tree Pruning

Biodegradable Material Formulated With Oat Hulls in the Composting Process of Household Organic Waste and Tree Pruning

Biodegradation behavior of poly (lactic acid) samples obtained by three‐dimensional printing: Influence of temperature and pigment presence

Degradation of Polylactic Acid Using Sub-Critical Water for Compost

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