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ARTICLE

Improved Performance and Compost Biodegradation of PLA/PBAT Blend and PLA/PBAT Compatibilized Blends with Algae as a Reinforcer

John Letwaba1, Sudhakar Muniyasamy2,3,*, Nagarethinam Rakku1, Lucey Mavhungu1
1 Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
2 Centre for Nanostructures and Advanced Materials, DSI-CSIR Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
3 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, 6001, South Africa
* Corresponding Author: Sudhakar Muniyasamy. Email: smuniyasamy@csir.co.za
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Recent Advances on Renewable Materials)

Journal of Renewable Materials https://doi.org/10.32604/jrm.2025.02025-0132

Received 02 June 2025; Accepted 04 October 2025; Published online 08 December 2025

Abstract

Melt blending of biodegradable polyesters such as poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and poly (butylene adipate co-terephthalate) (PBAT) with a compatibilizer and natural filler offers a chance to develop biodegradable biocomposites with improved performance. In this study, we examined how PLA/PBAT blends behave during ultimate biodegradation (mineralization), both with and without compatibilizer and algae as a reinforcement, under controlled composting conditions using carbon dioxide (CO2) respirometry techniques. Throughout the biodegradation process, the disintegration behaviour, thermal, chemical, and morphological properties of test samples before and after biodegradation were analyzed using FTIR, TGA, DSC, and SEM techniques. The results from CO2 biodegradation showed that PLA/PBAT blend exhibits a higher rate of biodegradation compared to neat PLA and PBAT. The addition of algae to a compatibilized PLA/PBAT blend showed an enhanced biodegradation rate due to hydrolytic cleavage and microbial assimilation. This was further supported by the disintegration test, where algae-reinforced composites showed fragmentation within 30 days. FTIR, TGA and SEM analysis revealed the structural changes that occurred during biodegradation, highlighting the role of algae in affecting the thermal stability and surface morphology. After the compost biodegradation step, eco-toxicity seed germination was conducted on the test samples. Plant seed germination test results confirmed that all test samples achieved maximum germination. This indicates there were no toxic residues, suggesting that the degraded materials are environmentally safe. Overall, this study contributes to the understanding of biodegradation mechanisms and the ecological impact of bio-based polymer composites as eco-friendly materials and products.

Keywords

PLA; PBAT; compatibilizer; algae; bio-composites; mechanical properties; thermal properties

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