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Development of biodegradable biocomposite films from poly(lactic acid), natural rubber and rice straw

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Abstract

This work aims to develop sustainable and biodegradable biocomposite films from renewable and environmentally friendly materials including poly(lactic acid) (PLA), natural rubber (NR), and rice straw (RS). The cast film extrusion method was used to produce all the films in the current work. The PLA/NR blend with 30 percent by weight (wt%) of NR, which showed the highest elongation at break of 372.10%, was selected for compounding with RS powder. The amounts of RS used in PLA/NR/RS biocomposite preparation were varied from 3 to 10 wt% of the total weight of the blend. The tensile properties of the film were decreased by the incorporation of RS fiber. However, ductile fracture behavior could still be observed if the RS content did not exceed 5 wt%. The biodegradability of all films was determined by measuring the percent weight loss of the films after soil burial. With an increase in RS amount, the degradation of the films was faster. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that all PLA/NR/RS bicomposite films had a lot of cracks and holes on their surfaces. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) showed that the molecular weight of PLA in all films went down after they were buried in soil. Also, the biocomposite films in this study demonstrate the potential to be used in agricultural products like planting bags.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from Suranaree University of Technology (SUT), Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI), and National Science, Research and Innovation Fund (NSRF) (NRIIS number 160344).

Funding

This study was funded by Suranaree University of Technology (SUT), Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI), and National Science, Research and Innovation Fund (NSRF) (NRIIS number 160344).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Polymer Engineering, Institute of Engineering, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand

    Wachirabhorn Pongputthipat, Yupaporn Ruksakulpiwat & Pranee Chumsamrong

  2. Research Center for Biocomposite Materials for Medical Industry and Agricultural and Food Industry, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand

    Wachirabhorn Pongputthipat, Yupaporn Ruksakulpiwat & Pranee Chumsamrong

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  1. Wachirabhorn Pongputthipat
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Pongputthipat, W., Ruksakulpiwat, Y. & Chumsamrong, P. Development of biodegradable biocomposite films from poly(lactic acid), natural rubber and rice straw. Polym. Bull. 80, 10289–10307 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-022-04560-0

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