Open Access
ARTICLE
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:
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Polylactide Based Biopolymeric Systems)
Journal of Renewable Materials 2023, 11(6), 2531-2553. https://doi.org/10.32604/jrm.2023.026066
Received 13 August 2022; Accepted 26 October 2022; Issue published 27 April 2023
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 λ
800 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
Keywords
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. https://doi.org/10.32604/jrm.2023.026066