Novel Biodegradable Poly (Lactic Acid)/Wood Leachate Composites: Investigation of Antibacterial, Mechanical, Morphological, and Thermal Properties

• Published in: Polymers Vol. 14; no. 6; p. 1227
• Main Authors: Shahavi, Mohammad Hassan, Selakjani, Peyman Pouresmaeel, Abatari, Mohadese Niksefat, Antov, Petar, Savov, Viktor
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 18-03-2022; MDPI
• Subjects: antibacterial; biocomposite; Biodegradability; Biomedical materials; Biopolymers; Charpy impact test; Coliforms; Composite materials; Contact angle; Crystallization; E coli; Environmental impact; Factories; Fillers; Fourier transforms; Glass transition temperature; Impact strength; Industrial applications; Laboratories; Leachates; Lignin; Mechanical properties; Morphology; Phenols; poly (lactic acid); Polylactic acid; Polymers; Raw materials; Scanning electron microscopy; Spectrum analysis; Tensile tests; Thermal analysis; Thermodynamic properties; wood leachate; Germany; poly (lactic acid); antibacterial; biopolymers; wood leachate; mechanical properties; biocomposite
• ISSN: 2073-4360; 2073-4360
• DOI: 10.3390/polym14061227

This research aimed to investigate the effects of using wood leachate (WL) powder as a cost-effective filler added to novel poly (lactic acid) biocomposites and evaluate their mechanical, thermal, morphological, and antibacterial properties. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), tensile test, Charpy impact test, Shore hardness, scanning electron microscope (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), contact angle, and bacterial growth inhibition tests were employed to characterize the developed biocomposites. The SEM results indicated a proper filler dispersion in the polymer matrix. WL powder improved the hydrophobic nature in the adjusted sample's contact angle experiment. Markedly, the results showed that the addition of WL filler improved the mechanical properties of the fabricated biocomposites. The thermal analysis determined the development in crystallization behavior and a decline in glass transition temperature (Tg) from 60.1 to 49.3 °C in 7% PLA-WL biocomposites. The PLA-WL biocomposites exhibited an antibacterial activity according to the inhibition zone for
bacteria. The developed novel PLA-WL composites can be effectively utilized in various value-added industrial applications as a sustainable and functional biopolymer material.