Preparation, structure, and properties of biodegradable core‐sheath composite fibers derived from poly (butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) and polylactic acid

Abstract

The non‐biodegradability of Ethylene‐Propylene Side‐by‐Side (ES) fibers has led to significant environmental pollution from waste sanitary products, thereby posing a severe challenge to the environment. Replacing traditional non‐biodegradable materials with biodegradable polymeric materials is the most effective method to achieve a green environment. In this study, core‐sheath fibers composed of biodegradable poly (butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) as the sheath layer and polylactic acid (PLA) as the core layer were fabricated. The effects of different viscosity ratios and the composite ratios of sheath and core on the structure and performance of the resultant core‐sheath fibers were investigated in detail. The results showed that when the PBAT/PLA composite ratio is 50:50 and the viscosity ratio range from 0.8 to 1.43, the PBAT/PLA core‐sheath composite fibers exhibit good spinnability and a complete core‐sheath structure, with their tensile properties comparable to those of PP/PE core‐sheath composite fibers. Further research found that when the viscosity ratio was 1.00 and the PLA component content in the PBAT/PLA composite fibers increased from 40% to 60%, the fibers still maintained good spinnability and a complete core‐sheath structure. In addition, when the PBAT/PLA composite ratio was 60:40, after 120 days of biodegradation, its strength retention rate was only 35.2%.