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    Study of the soil burial degradation of some PLA/CS biocomposites

    Year: 2018

    Journal: Compos. Pt. B-Eng., Volume 142, JUN 1, page 251–262

    Authors: Vasile, Cornelia; Pamfil, Daniela; Rapa, Maria; Darie-Nita, Raluca Nicoleta; Mitelut, Amalia Carmen; Popa, Elena Elisabeta; Popescu, Paul Alexandru; Draghici, Mihaela Cristina; Popa, Mona Elena

    Organizations: Romanian - EEA Research Programme [1SEE/30.06.2014]

    Keywords: Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs); Mechanical properties; Environmental degradation; Surface properties

    The chitosan effect on the soil burial degradation of polylactic acid plasticized with tributyl o-acetyl citrate (ATBC) was studied by weight loss measurements, changes in average molecular weight and its distribution, mechanical, thermal and surface properties correlated with structural and morphological modifications. Besides the loss of transparency at the end of environmental degradation test, all composites became brittle. During degradation, Young modulus increases while elongation at break significantly decreased, mainly for the bio-composites with high content of chitosan which also showed a significant decrease of average molecular weight, increase of glass transition temperature and crystallinity degree values and decrease of cold crystallization and melting temperature when soil burial period is longer. The high content of chitosan led to increased hydrophilicity of biocomposite surfaces which favors interaction with moisture and attack of microorganisms. Chitosan as hydrophilic compound promotes the soil burial degradation of PLA. However, longer period of soil burial are necessary for totally degradation of the sheets of plasticized PLA/CS biocomposites.
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