Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

Toughening Enhancement Mechanism and Performance Optimization of Castor-Oil-Based Polyurethane Cross-Linked Modified Polybutylene Adipate/Terephthalate Composites

This materials science study improved the mechanical properties of the biodegradable plastic PBAT by cross-linking it with castor oil-based polyurethane. The best formulation increased tensile strength by 86% and elongation at break by 70% compared to pure PBAT, enhancing its potential as a biodegradable alternative to conventional plastic films.

2023 Materials 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Strengthening effect of pea dietary fiber on mechanical properties and degradability of polylactic acid

Researchers incorporated pea dietary fiber into polylactic acid (PLA) plastic to improve its mechanical strength and degradability. Strengthening biodegradable plastics without adding conventional plastic additives is important for developing truly compostable alternatives that don't generate persistent microplastic fragments.

2023 Research Square (Research Square)
Article Tier 2

Enhancing the Mechanical Properties of Inherently Brittle, Biobased and Biodegradable Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) Polymer by Cotton Fibre Reinforcement and Interfacial Grafting

This study developed biobased and biodegradable packaging films by modifying PLA and PBSA blends, achieving improved flexibility and toughness compared to brittle pure PLA, with the goal of replacing fossil-fuel-based packaging materials with compostable alternatives.

2025 Advanced Sustainable Systems 2 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2021 Polymers 31 citations
Article Tier 2

High-performance biodegradable poly(lactic acid) composites with xylan and lignin copolymer

Researchers developed high-performance biodegradable poly(lactic acid) composites by incorporating xylan and lignin derived from lignocellulosic biomass, improving PLA mechanical properties and addressing its brittleness limitations while maintaining biodegradability as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics.

2025 International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
Article Tier 2

Properties of reclaimed polypropylene microplastic-polylactic acid blends

This study explored whether mixing reclaimed microplastic polypropylene with biodegradable PLA plastic could reduce environmental harm while preserving useful mechanical properties. The blends were tested in seawater and buried in soil to assess biodegradation, and a 90% PP / 10% PLA blend retained the highest tensile strength after seawater immersion. Higher PLA content accelerated biodegradation but reduced thermal stability and strength. The research offers a potential strategy for making recovered microplastic materials more environmentally manageable without sacrificing too much performance.

2025 Progress in Rubber Plastics and Recycling Technology 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Characterization of Biodegradable Polymers for Porous Structure: Further Steps toward Sustainable Plastics

Four biodegradable polymers -- PBAT, PBS, PHBV, and PLA -- were systematically characterized for mechanical, thermal, and porous structural properties to assess their suitability as more sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics.

2024 Polymers 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Enhancing Polyelectrolyte Strength of Biopolymers for Fully Recyclable and Biodegradable Plastics

This study developed a biodegradable and fully recyclable plastic material by forming solid polyelectrolyte complexes from naturally occurring charged polymers, achieving stiffness comparable to conventional plastics while enabling composting or dissolution-based recycling — with no microplastic residue.

2025 ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Enhancing PolyelectrolyteStrength of Biopolymersfor Fully Recyclable and Biodegradable Plastics

Researchers developed a fully recyclable and biodegradable plastic material created through solid polyelectrolyte complexation of naturally occurring biopolymers, enhancing their polyelectrolyte strength to achieve mechanical properties competitive with conventional single-use packaging plastics. The study demonstrated that this approach addresses both the microplastic pollution problem and fossil fuel dependence while enabling end-of-life recyclability.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Methodology development: evaluation of structural, thermal, and mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) blends for biodegradable mulch

Researchers developed a methodology for formulating and characterizing biodegradable PLA/PBAT mulch films as alternatives to conventional polyethylene mulch that contributes to microplastic pollution in agriculture. The proposed approach covers scalable formulation, processing, and comprehensive characterization aligned with regulatory guidelines and industry standards for biodegradable mulch performance.

2025 Polymer Bulletin
Article Tier 2

Advanced Plastic Waste Recycling—The Effect of Clay on the Morphological and Thermal Behavior of Recycled PET/PLA Sustainable Blends

Researchers prepared blends of recycled PET and bio-based polylactic acid (PLA) with clay additives, finding that clay incorporation affects the morphological and thermal properties of the mixed plastic, with implications for improving PET/PLA recycling compatibility.

2023 Polymers 17 citations
Article Tier 2

Binary Green Blends of Poly(lactic acid) with Poly(butylene adipate-co-butylene terephthalate) and Poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) and Their Nanocomposites

Binary blends of polylactic acid with two biodegradable copolyesters (PBAT and PBSA) were formulated and their nanocomposites characterized, finding that adding a second biodegradable polymer substantially improved the toughness and elongation at break of PLA while maintaining biodegradability, offering a path toward more durable bioplastic materials.

2021 Polymers 61 citations
Article Tier 2

Study of viscoelasticity and processability of bioplastics

Researchers studied the thermomechanical behavior and viscoelastic properties of two related bioplastic polymers using multiple processing and characterization techniques, aiming to better understand the processability of biodegradable alternatives to conventional plastics.

2024 Digital Repository (Polytechnic University of Cartagena)
Article Tier 2

Microstructure 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.

2025 International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Enhanced Biodegradation Rate of Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) Composites Using Reed Fiber

Researchers blended reed plant fibers with a biodegradable plastic called PBAT to create a composite material that breaks down faster in the environment. They tested the composite with four different enzymes and found that adding reed fiber significantly accelerated degradation rates. The study suggests that incorporating natural plant fibers into biodegradable plastics could help reduce the persistence of plastic waste.

2024 Polymers 26 citations
Article Tier 2

In Situ Constructing Highly Aligned Ribbon-like PHBV Lamellae in PBAT: Towards Strong, Ductile and High-Barrier PBAT/PHBV Films

Despite its title referencing biodegradable plastic film materials (PBAT and PHBV), this paper studies the materials science of fabricating high-performance biodegradable packaging films — not microplastic pollution or health effects. It examines how combining two bio-based polymers with a compatibilizer improves mechanical strength and barrier properties and is not directly relevant to microplastic exposure or human health impacts.

2025 Materials 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Effect of Epoxidized Soybean Oil on Biodegradation and Mechanical Performances of Thermoplastic Starch/Poly(Butylene Adipate‐Co‐Terephthalate)

Adding epoxidized soybean oil as a compatibilizer to thermoplastic starch/PBAT blends significantly improved mechanical performance and biodegradability, with higher epoxidation degree correlating with reduced residual double bonds and increased crosslinking functionality.

2025 Journal of Applied Polymer Science 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Relating Amorphous Structure to the Tear Strength of Polylactic Acid Films

The relationship between amorphous molecular structure and tear strength in polylactic acid (PLA) films was investigated, finding that the proportion of mobile amorphous regions significantly affects mechanical performance. Films with different thermal histories showed predictable differences in tear resistance. These findings guide the design of PLA bioplastic films with improved mechanical properties for packaging applications.

2022 Polymers 7 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2024 Research Square (Research Square)
Article Tier 2

Reed Fiber as a Sustainable Filler for Tuning the Biodegradability of Polylactic acid Composites

Researchers prepared reed fiber/polylactic acid (PLA/RF) composite films via melt blending and blow molding, finding that increasing reed fiber content tuned the biodegradation rate of PLA in the presence of proteinase K, with DSC, SEM, and FTIR analyses revealing changes in crystallization behavior and surface morphology during enzymatic degradation.

2024 Research Square (Research Square)