Open Access

ARTICLE

Effect of Modified Gum Arabic and Euphorbia Trigona Mill Master Batch on the Crystallization and Thermal Stability of Poly (Lactic Acid)

Kasahun Tsegaye Mekonnen^1,*, Melaku Tesfaye Alemea², Dessie Ezez¹, Abenezer Zenebe¹, Negussie Darota Daka¹

1 Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Computational Science, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
2 Department of Chemical Engineering, Adama Science and Technology University, Adama, Ethiopia

* Corresponding Author: Kasahun Tsegaye Mekonnen. Email:

Journal of Renewable Materials 2026, 14(5), 8 https://doi.org/10.32604/jrm.2026.02026-0221

Received 24 November 2025; Accepted 09 April 2026; Issue published 28 May 2026

Abstract

This study examined the effects of modified Gum Arabic (OLLA-g-GA), modified Euphorbia trigona Mill (OLLA-g-ETML), and their master batch (OLLA-g-GA–OLLA-g-ETML) on the non-isothermal crystallisation and thermal stability of poly (lactic acid) (PLA). The interface interactions of PLA with the modifiers before and after modification were analysed and identified using FTIR spectroscopy, which displayed different peak formations and intensities compared to neat PLA, indicating physical interactions with the modifiers. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to study non-isothermal crystallisation at a heating rate of 10°C/min. Tensile strength and elongation at break of PLA improved by the addition of biofiller. The incorporation of OLLA-g-GA, OLLA-g-ETML, and their master batch enhanced the crystallinity enhancement to 39.32%, 36.30%, and 40.39%, respectively, from 31.36% (for neat PLA) to 35.28%. Thermal annealing increased the crystallinity of the PLA/master batch composites to 45.83%. These findings confirm that blending PLA with modified gum Arabica, Euphorbia trigona Mill, and master batch had a positive effect on the crystallisation and thermal stability of PLA, demonstrating a successful methodology for improving the performance of biodegradable polymer composites.

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Graphic Abstract

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