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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to In vitro degradation behavior of oriented microcellular poly(L-lactic acid) biomimetic materials
ClearMicrostructure and performance evolution of poly (l-lactic acid) during physical aging: Determinable role of molding method on β-relaxation
Researchers investigated how the manufacturing method of poly(L-lactic acid) — a biodegradable plastic relevant to microplastic pollution reduction — affects its mechanical aging behavior, finding that quenching versus cold-pressing creates different molecular network structures that determine how quickly the material becomes brittle over time.
Evolution of the Molecular and Supramolecular Structures of PLA during the Thermally Supported Hydrolytic Degradation of Wet Spinning Fibers
Researchers studied the structural evolution of polylactic acid fibers during accelerated hydrolytic degradation at different pH levels and temperatures, finding disorder-to-order phase transitions in the polymer's supramolecular structure that affect the degradation behavior of PLA materials in real-world conditions.
Investigation of the Hydrolytic Degradation Kinetics of 3D-Printed PLA Structures under a Thermally Accelerated Regime
Researchers investigated the hydrolytic degradation kinetics of 3D-printed PLA structures under thermally accelerated conditions, finding that print orientation and layer thickness influence degradation rate and that PLA retains structural integrity longer than expected under moderate temperature and humidity.
Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Networks with Dynamic Covalent Bonds: Synthesis and Characterization
Researchers synthesized a biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) network with dynamic chemical bonds that degrade under environmental conditions, making it a candidate to replace microplastic-generating polyolefins in packaging and agriculture. The study characterizes its thermal and mechanical properties for practical applications.
Polymer Microparticles with Defined Surface Chemistry and Topography Mediate the Formation of Stem Cell Aggregates and Cardiomyocyte Function.
This study developed methods for surface-functionalizing biodegradable poly(lactic acid) microparticles with different chemistries and topographies to investigate how these properties affect stem cell behavior and heart muscle cell function. While focused on biomedical applications rather than environmental microplastics, the findings add to understanding of how plastic particle surface properties influence biological responses.
The fate of biodegradable polyesters in the marine environment
Researchers tracked the degradation of five biodegradable plastics in simulated marine environments over nearly a year, including materials like polylactic acid and polyhydroxybutyrate. While all materials showed signs of degradation such as surface cracking and weight loss from hydrolysis, they also released polymer fragments into surrounding sand, indicating that even biodegradable plastics can generate microplastic pollution. The findings suggest that labeling a plastic as biodegradable does not guarantee it will fully break down in ocean conditions.
Microbial Degradation of Polylactic Acid Bioplastic
This review covers how microorganisms degrade polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic under different environmental conditions. Understanding PLA biodegradation is important for assessing whether PLA products actually break down as intended in real-world environments rather than persisting as microplastics.
3D-printed polylactic acid biopolymer and textile fibers: comparing the degradation process
3D-printed polylactic acid (PLA) objects and PLA textile fibers were compared in their degradation behavior under composting and environmental conditions. Both materials degraded over time but at different rates depending on their physical form and surface area. The study provides insights into how PLA-based products break down and whether they produce persistent microplastic residues.
Aging behavior of biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics accelerated by UV/H2O2 processes
Researchers used UV and hydrogen peroxide to simulate environmental aging of biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics, finding that PLA microplastics undergo significant surface and structural changes during weathering that alter their environmental behavior and persistence.
Abiotic degradation and accelerated ageing of microplastics from biodegradable and recycled materials in artificial seawater
Researchers examined the degradation behavior of microplastics from two biodegradable plastics (polylactic acid and Mater-Bi) and recycled PET under simulated seawater and photo-oxidative conditions. They identified hydrolysis as the primary degradation pathway and characterized the oligomers, degradation products, and plastic additives released into the water. The study improves understanding of how these alternative plastic materials break down in marine environments and what chemicals they release.
Poly(lactic acid) nanoplastics through laser ablation: establishing a reference model for mimicking biobased nanoplastics in aquatic environments
PLA (polylactic acid) nanoplastics were fabricated via laser ablation to create a reference model for studying biobased nanoplastics in aquatic environments, with the resulting particles sharing surface chemistry characteristics with environmentally degraded PLA debris.
Polylactic acid synthesis, biodegradability, conversion to microplastics and toxicity: a review
Researchers reviewed polylactic acid (PLA), a popular plant-based "biodegradable" plastic used in packaging and agriculture, finding that while it breaks down inside the body, it does not fully degrade under natural outdoor or aquatic conditions — and in fact fragments into microplastics faster than conventional petroleum-based plastics. This challenges the assumption that bioplastics are a straightforward environmental solution.
Monitoring polymer degradation under different conditions in the marine environment
Researchers simulated four marine environmental conditions over one year and found that biobased plastics like polylactic acid degrade up to five times faster in seafloor sediment than in the water column, while conventional plastics showed little degradation difference across conditions.
Modification of Poly(lactic acid) by the Plasticization for Application in the Packaging Industry
Researchers investigated the modification of poly(lactic acid) through plasticization to improve its mechanical properties for use in packaging industry applications as a biodegradable alternative to conventional plastics.
Sliding elements made from biodegradable plastic – friction and wear of poly(lactic acid) compared to polyamide 6
Researchers examined the friction and wear behaviour of poly(lactic acid) and other biodegradable plastic sliding components, finding that biodegradable materials can function as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional plastics in sliding applications because they eliminate the need for lubricants while also degrading rather than persisting as microplastic debris.
State of the art on biodegradability of bio-based plastics containing polylactic acid
This review examines whether bio-based plastics made from polylactic acid (PLA) actually break down in the environment as intended. While certain microorganisms can degrade PLA, the process is slow and depends heavily on conditions like temperature and moisture. The findings matter because if bio-based plastics do not fully break down, they can still fragment into microplastics, posing many of the same environmental and health risks as conventional plastics.
Aging Process of Biocomposites with the PLA Matrix Modified with Different Types of Cellulose
Researchers prepared polylactic acid composites with three different cellulose-based fillers and studied how they age under UV light exposure. The study found that the type of cellulose additive plays a crucial role in how well the material resists UV degradation, with some forms improving both mechanical properties and degradation timing. These findings support the potential of biodegradable polymer composites as alternatives to conventional plastics that generate persistent microplastic waste.
The Hydrolytic Behavior of Poly(Lactic Acid)/Polystyrene‐ Grafted‐Hectorite Nanocomposite Films and Its Regulatory Mechanism on Microplastics
Researchers tested how polylactic acid (PLA) films and PLA/hectorite nanocomposite films degrade in aqueous solutions of different pH levels. The nanocomposite films degraded more slowly and released fewer microplastic fragments than pure PLA, suggesting that clay mineral incorporation could reduce secondary microplastic generation from biodegradable plastics.
Effect of Matrix Crystallization on Vickers Hardness of Cellulose Fiber / Poly(lactic acid) Composites
This study investigated how crystallization processes affect the hardness of composites made from cellulose nanofibers and polylactic acid, a biodegradable plastic, with implications for replacing conventional fossil-fuel-based plastics.
Mineral-Armored Structure Enhanced the Stability of Polyethylene Microplastics Rather Than Polylactic Acid Microplastics: A Long-Term Natural Aging Study
Researchers conducted a long-term natural aging study comparing polyethylene and polylactic acid microplastics across different environmental settings, finding that mineral armoring on polyethylene surfaces enhanced structural stability and slowed aging, whereas polylactic acid microplastics degraded more readily.
Adsorption/desorption behavior of degradable polylactic acid microplastics on bisphenol A under different aging conditions
Researchers studied how different types of UV-simulated aging affect the ability of polylactic acid microplastics to adsorb and release bisphenol A. The study found that aging conditions changed the surface properties of the biodegradable plastic, altering its interaction with this common environmental contaminant. The findings suggest that even biodegradable microplastics can act as carriers of harmful chemicals depending on their degradation state.
Accelerated aging behavior of degradable and non-degradable microplastics via advanced oxidation and their adsorption characteristics towards tetracycline
Researchers compared how biodegradable polylactic acid and conventional polystyrene microplastics age when exposed to advanced oxidation processes, and how aging changes their ability to adsorb the antibiotic tetracycline. They found that polylactic acid degraded more quickly and developed more surface changes during aging, leading to increased antibiotic adsorption. The findings suggest that as biodegradable plastics break down in the environment, they may become more effective at concentrating and transporting chemical contaminants.
Effect of oxygen-containing functional groups on the micromechanical behavior of biodegradable plastics and their formation of microplastics during aging
Researchers compared how biodegradable and non-biodegradable plastics form microplastics during aging, focusing on the role of oxygen-containing functional groups. They found that biodegradable plastics are more prone to generating microplastics in a short time, and that oxygenated functional group formation is a key indicator of this process. The study reveals that micromechanical property changes during aging are closely linked to the evolution of these chemical groups, providing insights for assessing microplastic formation risk.
Properties and Degradation Performances of Biodegradable Poly(lactic acid)/Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) Blends and Keratin Composites
Researchers tested biodegradable blends of polylactic acid and polyhydroxybutyrate with added keratin waste as fillers, assessing how well the composites degrade. The work contributes to developing plastic alternatives that break down in the environment rather than persisting as microplastics.