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Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Assessment of Polylactide as Optical Material
ClearAbout the transformation of low Tm into high Tm poly(l-lactide)s by annealing under the influence of transesterification catalysts
Researchers studied how polylactic acid (PLA) crystals transform into higher-melting forms during heating with catalysts. Understanding the crystallization behavior of biodegradable PLA plastics is important for designing materials that degrade more effectively in the environment.
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.
The Potential of Bio-Based Polylactic Acid (PLA) as an Alternative in Reusable Food Containers: A Review
This review evaluates polylactic acid as a potential sustainable alternative to polypropylene in reusable food containers, examining its mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties. Researchers found that while PLA has limitations including brittleness and heat sensitivity, these can be improved through blending with other biopolymers. The study compares PLA-based composites against conventional polypropylene and considers end-of-life options and commercial costs of making the switch.
Photo-Aging of Biodegradable Polylactic Acid Microplastics
Researchers investigated the photo-aging of polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics, finding that UV exposure caused fragmentation that increased total particle numbers while decreasing average particle size. The study provides quantitative data on how biodegradable PLA plastics generate secondary microplastics through photoaging, a previously poorly characterized degradation pathway for this widely used industrial bioplastic.
Tailoring Photoprotection of Polylactide with New Isobornyl Derivatives of Phenol and Aniline
This paper is not relevant to microplastics research — it reports on the development of new photostabilizers (isobornyl derivatives) to protect polylactide (PLA) bioplastic from UV degradation, a materials chemistry study.
Degradation of polylactide microplastics in the marine environment under low temperature and in fine-grained sediments - a laboratory scale evaluation
Researchers tested whether polylactide (PLA), a plant-based plastic marketed as compostable, actually breaks down in cold marine environments, finding it barely degraded in cold seawater and not at all in oxygen-deprived deep sediments — meaning improperly discarded PLA can persist in the ocean and contribute to nanoplastic pollution just like conventional plastics.
Preliminary insights into the photosensensitivity of bio-based plastics: Release of microplastic-derived organic matter in water under UV irradiation
Researchers conducted the first study on how bio-based microplastics made from PLA, PHA, and PLA-PHA mixtures release dissolved organic matter into water when exposed to UV light. They found that all three bio-based plastics were photosensitive, releasing measurable amounts of organic carbon and forming carbonyl bonds on their surfaces during irradiation. The findings suggest that even bio-based plastics can undergo significant degradation under sunlight, potentially affecting water quality.
Crystallization behaviors of chain extended poly (lactic acid) modified with ST-NAB3 and its improved mechanical and thermal properties
Researchers modified poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with a styrene-acrylonitrile-glycidyl methacrylate chain extender (SAG) and an octamethylenedicarboxylic dibenzoylhydrazide nucleating agent (ST-NAB3) to improve its crystallization, mechanical properties, and thermal resistance as a biodegradable alternative to petroleum-based single-use plastics. The modifications significantly enhanced PLA crystallinity and mechanical performance, supporting its use in disposable packaging and tableware applications.
Photodegradation of biodegradable plastics in aquatic environments: Current understanding and challenges
Researchers reviewed the photodegradation of biodegradable plastics in aquatic environments, examining how sunlight breaks down polymers like polylactic acid and polyhydroxyalkanoates compared to conventional plastics. The study suggests that direct photolysis may be more significant for biodegradable plastics due to their ester-containing backbones, and that water turbulence keeps these denser plastics exposed to sunlight despite their tendency to sink.
Do poly(lactic acid) microplastics instigate a threat? A perception for their dynamic towards environmental pollution and toxicity
This review examines whether poly(lactic acid), a popular biodegradable plastic marketed as an eco-friendly alternative, actually poses environmental risks as it breaks down into microplastics. Researchers found that PLA only degrades fully under specific industrial composting conditions with high temperatures and moisture, and may persist much longer in natural environments. The study calls for deeper investigation into the environmental fate and potential toxicity of PLA microplastics as their use continues to grow.
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.
Changes in the Thermal and Structural Properties of Polylactide and Its Composites During a Long-Term Degradation Process
Researchers studied the long-term degradation of polylactide (PLA) composites to understand how their thermal and structural properties change over time. The findings indicate that as PLA breaks down during composting, there is potential for microplastic formation, and the rate of decomposition varies depending on the composite composition.
Release of microplastics from a bio-based composite after ultraviolet irradiation
Researchers examined the release of microplastic particles from a bio-based polylactic acid (PLA) composite material following ultraviolet irradiation in laboratory conditions, quantifying microplastic formation through observation, identification, and enumeration of released particles. The study aimed to assess whether bio-based polymers marketed as more sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics like polypropylene still generate microplastic pollution during UV-driven environmental degradation.
Chemical-Physical Characterization of Bio-Based Biodegradable Plastics in View of Identifying Suitable Recycling/Recovery Strategies and Numerical Modeling of PLA Pyrolysis
Researchers characterized several bio-based and biodegradable polymer alternatives to conventional plastics using chemical-physical methods, assessing their suitability for industrial composting and identifying challenges in managing these bioplastics in the existing waste stream.
ЗАСТОСУВАННЯ БІОРОЗКЛАДНИХ ПОЛІМЕРІВ ПРИ ВИГОТОВЛЕННІ НЕКТАНИХ ФІЛЬТРУВАЛЬНИХ МАТЕРІАЛІВ
Researchers successfully produced nonwoven filter materials from polylactic acid (PLA) using melt-blown technology originally designed for polypropylene, finding that PLA fibers had a 10% smaller average diameter and similar filtration performance to PP materials. This is relevant to microplastic research because biodegradable PLA-based filters could replace conventional plastic filter materials that themselves generate microplastic pollution.
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.
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.
Biodegradable Polyhydroxyalkanoates with a Different Set of Valerate Monomers: Chemical Structure and Physicochemical Properties
This materials science study synthesised novel biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) copolymers containing unusual valerate monomers to explore whether their thermal and crystallisation properties could be tuned to outperform conventional bioplastics. The new terpolymers showed improved thermal stability and lower crystallinity compared to standard PHA copolymers. Research into genuinely biodegradable plastics is directly relevant to microplastics because materials that fully break down in the environment would not accumulate as persistent micro- and nanoparticles.
Recent Advances in the Investigation of Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) Nanocomposites: Incorporation of Various Nanofillers and their Properties and Applications
This review covers recent advances in poly(lactic acid) or PLA, a compostable bioplastic that could replace fossil-fuel-based plastics. Researchers examined how adding various nanofillers can overcome PLA's limitations, such as low heat resistance and slow crystallization, making it suitable for a wider range of applications. The findings suggest that PLA nanocomposites represent a viable path toward reducing reliance on conventional plastics across multiple industries.
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.
Bioplastics: Environment-friendly materials and their production technologies
This review analyzes recent developments in bioplastics as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional plastics, examining raw material sources, production technologies, and biodegradation assessment methods, with special emphasis on polylactic acid (PLA) as the most widely used biodegradable polymer.
Novel insights into photoaging mechanisms and environmental persistence risks of polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics: Direct and indirect photolysis
Using quantum chemical calculations and kinetic simulations, researchers investigated the photoaging mechanisms of polylactic acid (PLA) -- a supposedly biodegradable plastic -- under UV radiation. PLA underwent both direct photolysis and indirect photolysis via reactive oxygen species, producing persistent microplastic fragments, raising concerns that PLA's environmental persistence under real-world sunlight conditions may exceed expectations.
Crystallization behaviors of chain extended poly (lactic acid) modified with ST‐NAB3 and its improvement for mechanical and thermal properties
Researchers modified poly(lactic acid) — a biodegradable plastic alternative to petroleum-based polymers — to improve its poor crystallization, mechanical strength, and heat resistance by adding a chain extender and nucleating agent. The resulting material performs better under real-world conditions, bringing biodegradable plastics closer to viably replacing conventional plastics that contribute to microplastic pollution.
Behaviour of a self-reinforced polylactic acid (SRPLA) in seawater
Researchers tested whether a biodegradable plastic made from plant-based polylactic acid (PLA) holds up in seawater and whether it sheds microplastics. After 12 months at 40°C its strength fully degraded, but short-term UV exposure did not increase microplastic release — suggesting it needs engineering improvements before it can safely replace conventional marine plastics.