Tailoring of advanced poly(lactic acid)‐based materials: A review

Abstract

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) stands out as the most promising biodegradable alternative to conventional petrochemical‐based polymers for manufacturing of high‐performance materials applied in medicine, pharmacy, food, textile, and electronic industry. This review was aimed to present the conventional and up‐to‐date technologies for PLA processing including melt blending and molding, hot melt extrusion, 3D printing, foaming, impregnation, thermally induced phase separation, nano‐ and microparticles preparation, wet and dry spinning processes. In addition, the effect of the processing parameters and polymer characteristics on the properties of the final material was elaborated. Diverse possibilities to tailor properties of PLA‐based materials by variation in polymer characteristics and concentration, solvent selection, drying method, processing pressure and temperature, incorporation of bioactive components, and so on were highlighted. The examples of the relations between processing methods, parameters, and end‐product properties are given for a better understanding of all aspects that need to be perceived for fabrication of PLA‐based materials with required performances.

An investigation on the possible use of coffee silverskin in PLA/PBS composites

“…[4][5][6] Among the different choices, polylactic acid (PLA) has attracted significant interest and is one of the biopolymers more widespread in use. [7][8][9] Whilst PLA is a useful polymer, in many cases it can be too brittle for specific end uses 1 and so it is often blended with other biopolymers such as polybutylene succinate (PBS) or poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] This blending can change, among other characteristics, the plasticity of the resultant blend making it more suitable for a wider range of uses.…”

“…Therefore, the use of polymers deriving from renewable sources, capable of being degraded if dispersed in the environment or that can be exploited in compost production is a valid alternative to the use of oil derived commodities 4–6 . Among the different choices, polylactic acid (PLA) has attracted significant interest and is one of the biopolymers more widespread in use 7–9 . Whilst PLA is a useful polymer, in many cases it can be too brittle for specific end uses 1 and so it is often blended with other biopolymers such as polybutylene succinate (PBS) or poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) 10–18 .…”

Fully Bio-Based Composites of Poly (Lactic Acid) Reinforced with Cellulose-Graft-Poly-(ε-Caprolactone) Copolymers

“…In general, PLA has been intensely researched due to its precursor (lactic acid) from renewable biomass, providing a "befitting" alternative to fossil-based materials. Moreover, the attracting traits of biodegradation and biocompatibility endows these polymers can be hydrolyzed to lactic acid and metabolized to water and carbon dioxide [4,10]. However, as other synthetic plastics, PLA has its inherent drawback such as inherent brittleness, poor impact and tear resistance, and slow recrystallization rate, which limit its applications in biomedical, automotive, and structural fields.…”

Simultaneously Toughening and Reinforcing Polylactide by Regulating the Distribution of Core–Shell Rubber Particles with Carbon Black

“…Polylactide (PLA) derives from plant biomass (e.g., corn) rather than fossil sources, and can eventually degrade or biodegrade into poisonless and harmless substances (namely, carbon dioxide and water). [1][2][3][4] More importantly, compared to other emerging biopolymers, PLA offers numerous advantages in biocompatibility, transparency, stiffness, and melt-processability. Therefore, there has been growing enthusiasm in utilizing PLA to replace those petroleum-based and nondegradable polymers in biomedicine, packaging, textile, and engineering plastics fields.…”