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Preparation and Performance of Pueraria lobata Root Powder/Polylactic Acid Composite Films

Shuang Zhao1, Shenglan Chen2, Shuan Ren1, Gang Li3, Ke Song1,4, Jie Guo1,4, Shima Liu1,4, Jian He1,4, Xianwu Zhou1,4,*

1 Key Laboratory of Hunan Forest Products and Chemical Industry Engineering, Jishou University, Zhangjiajie, 427000, China
2 Central South Inventory and Planning Institute of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Changsha, 410000, China
3 School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Jishou University, Zhangjiajie, 427000, China
4 College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jishou University, Jishou, 416000, China

* Corresponding Author: Xianwu Zhou. Email: email

(This article belongs to this Special Issue: Polylactide Based Biopolymeric Systems)

Journal of Renewable Materials 2023, 11(6), 2531-2553. https://doi.org/10.32604/jrm.2023.026066

Abstract

Petroleum-based materials, such as plastic, are characterized by adverse environmental pollution; as a result, researchers have sought alternative degradable plastics that are environmentally friendly, such as polylactic acid (PLA). PLA has shown great potential to replace petroleum-based plastics. In this study, seven different samples of unmodified Pueraria lobata root powder (PRP) with different contents (i.e., 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 wt%) and three different modified PRPs (i.e., treated with NaOH, NaOH-KH-550, and Formic) were used to reinforce polylactic acid (PLA) via solution casting process. These prepared PRP/PLA composite films were characterized using SEM, FTIR, UV-visible spectra analysis, TG, DSC, weight loss measurement (wt%), and mechanical measurements. The results showed that the PRP modified with KH-550 (PRPK) intensified the interaction in the interface region between the PRP and the PLA matrix, thus increasing the tensile strength (54.5 MPa), elongation at break (2.8%), and Young’s modulus (3310 MPa) of the PRPK/PLA biofilms. Contact angle measurement showed that the PRP treatments contributed to the hydrophobicity of films. The transparency of PRP-10/PLA film at λ800 was 11.09%, and its UVA and UVB transmittance were 3.28 and 1.16, respectively. After blending PLA with PRP, the PRP/PLA composite films exhibited excellent biodegradability. In summary, PRPK improved the mechanical properties of PLA and prevented the films from ultraviolet light, suggesting that PRPK-5/PLA film could be used as packaging materials.

Graphical Abstract

Preparation and Performance of <i>Pueraria lobata</i> Root Powder/Polylactic Acid Composite Films

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Cite This Article

Zhao, S., Chen, S., Ren, S., Li, G., Song, K. et al. (2023). Preparation and Performance of Pueraria lobata Root Powder/Polylactic Acid Composite Films. Journal of Renewable Materials, 11(6), 2531–2553.



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