FUNCTIONAL BIO-BASED POLYLACTIC ACID/POLYHYDROXYBUTYRATE (PLA/PHB) NANOCOMPOSITES

Abstract

The urge to find a sustainable replacement for petroleum-based polymers has grown intensively since the early 1990s—the importance of alleviating climate change by minimizing the environmental impact of petroleum-based polymers. Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) derived from renewable resources are the most promising bio-based biodegradable polymer due to their green characteristics and good mechanical properties. Nevertheless, brittleness, low toughness, and low crystallization rate limit their applications. In our work, we developed a series of novel polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB-based) fillers based on synergetic rigid and soft segmental strategies. The resultant fully degradable and durable PLA possesses balanced strength and toughness, enhanced crystallization, and functionality for more comprehensive implementations for broader industrial applications.