@Article{jrm.2023.026066,
AUTHOR = {Shuang Zhao, Shenglan Chen, Shuan Ren, Gang Li, Ke Song, Jie Guo, Shima Liu, Jian He, Xianwu Zhou},
TITLE = {Preparation and Performance of <i>Pueraria lobata</i> Root Powder/Polylactic Acid Composite Films},
JOURNAL = {Journal of Renewable Materials},
VOLUME = {11},
YEAR = {2023},
NUMBER = {6},
PAGES = {2531--2553},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/jrm/v11n6/52254},
ISSN = {2164-6341},
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 <i>Pueraria lobata</i> 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<sub>800</sub> was 11.09%, and its <i>UVA </i>and <i>UVB </i>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.},
DOI = {10.32604/jrm.2023.026066}
}