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ScCO2-assisted fabrication and compressive property of poly (lactic acid) foam reinforced by in-situ polytetrafluoroethylene fibrils
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Researchers developed biodegradable poly(lactic acid) foam reinforced with polytetrafluoroethylene fibrils using supercritical CO2 foaming, achieving a 30% improvement in specific compressive strength and two orders of magnitude increase in storage modulus at 5 wt% PTFE content. The approach improves PLA's typically poor melt strength and slow crystallization, making it a more viable bio-based alternative to petroleum-based plastic foams.
As an effective alternative for petrochemical-based polymers, bio-based poly (lactic acid) (PLA) foam has been anticipated to alleviate enormous environmental pollution caused by microplastics. However, some difficulties involved in PLA foaming process due to the inherently poor melt strength and crystallization properties. In this context, a small amount of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) was incorporated into PLA matrix to solve the aforementioned issues. Scanning electron microscopy measurement exhibited that PTFE fibrils and their physical networks were formed in molten PLA after blending. Due to these PTFE networks, approximately 2 orders of magnitudes increment in the storage modulus and more than 20% improvement in crystallinity of PLA were obtained. Diverse PLA samples were successfully foamed by a cost-effective, green and supercritical CO-assisted foaming method. The PLA/PTFE foam with the PTFE content of 5 wt% (PLA/PTFE5) possessed the smallest pore size (9.51 μm) and the highest pore density (2.60 × 10 pores/cm). In addition, the average specific compressive strength of PLA/PTFE5 foam was enhanced 30% in comparison with that of pure PLA foam. Overall, this study could provide a prospective strategy for developing bioderived and biodegradable polymer foams with controllable pore structures and high compression property.
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Researchers investigated the influence of chemical modification and cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) incorporation on the properties of polylactic acid (PLA) foams produced by supercritical CO2 foaming, motivated by the need for biodegradable alternatives to microplastic-generating petroleum-based foam materials. Chemical modification improved PLA melt elasticity and resulted in significant changes to cellular foam structure, advancing the development of biodegradable packaging foams.
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Researchers developed a CO2-based foaming method to fabricate ultra-low-density biodegradable polylactic acid/carbon nanotube nanocomposite foams, finding that even small additions of carbon nanotubes dramatically improved rheological properties and foamability.
Foaming Behavior and Water Absorption-Desorption Cycle of Polylactide for Food Packaging
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Researchers investigated foaming polylactic acid (PLA) using supercritical CO2 in a pressure-induced batch process, finding that careful control of saturation pressure, temperature, and depressurization rate produced lightweight foamed PLA structures suitable for sustainable food packaging applications.
Mechanical properties of fibre/ filler based poly(Lactic Acid) (Pla) composites : A brief review
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This review examines the mechanical properties of polylactic acid (PLA)-based composites reinforced with natural fibers and fillers, presenting PLA as a biodegradable alternative to conventional plastics in applications ranging from agriculture to biomedical devices. Improving the strength and durability of bio-based plastics is essential for replacing petroleum-based materials that generate persistent microplastic pollution.
Supercritical CO2-Assisted Fabrication of Environmentally Friendly Poly(Propylene Carbonate)/Poly(Butylene Adipate-co-Terephthalate)/Epoxidized Soybean Oil (PPC/PBAT/ESO) Lightweight Open-Cell Foams With Excellent Degradability and Thermal Insulation Properties.
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Researchers made a lightweight foam from biodegradable plastics and soybean oil using carbon dioxide gas as a foaming agent. In lab testing, the foam expanded significantly, lost 57.96% of its mass within 26 days, and showed strong heat insulation properties, suggesting it could serve as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional plastic foams.
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