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ABSTRACT
A series of biodegradable composites, including maleic acid-grafted recycled poly(lactic acid) (g-rPLA) and chemically modified lyocell (m-lyocell), were successfully synthesized. The rPLA was obtained from waste PLA-based single-use coffee cups. The storage modulus at −20°C of g-rPLA was increased from 1920 MPa for pure PLA to 3370 MPa for 5 wt% g-rPLA/m-lyocell composites, which is more than 75% enhancement. The number-average molecular weight after photodegradation for 60 days of g-rPLA and 5 wt% g-rPLA/m-lyocell composites was decreased by about 67.12% and 26.17% as compared to the samples before photodegradation, respectively. The results of photodegradations for composites indicate that the change of number-average molecular weight after photodegradation decreased by increasing the loading of m-lyocell. This result suggests that the existence of m-lyocell improved the UV protection ability of the g-rPLA. With the enhancement of mechanical properties and UV protection ability, this work provides an appropriate approach for the applications to reuse the waste PLA-based single-use coffee cups.
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Ti-Mien Chiu
Ti-Mien Chiu, graduate student in National Chung Hsing Univ., majoring in polymer science & engineering.
Wei-Hsiang Chang
Wei-Hsiang Chang, graduate student in National Chung Hsing Univ., majoring in polymer science & engineering.
Erh-Ching Chen
Erh-Ching Chen, senior research in National Chung Hsing Univ., majoring in polymer science & engineering.
Tzong-Ming Wu
Tzong-Ming Wu, Professor in National Chung Hsing Univ., majoring in polymer science & engineering.