Biodegradable and Biobased Mulch Films: Highly Stretchable PLA Composites with Different Industrial Vegetable Waste
Danila Merino, Arkadiusz Żych, Athanassia Athanassiou
Abstract
, similar to that of Mater-Bi. In addition, the type of vegetable waste added as filler were demonstrated to significantly affect not only the films' mentioned properties but also their biodegradability. For instance, films prepared with 20 wt % SS were demonstrated to improve PLA soil biodegradability, which increased from 0 to 38 wt % for PLA composites after 6 months of a soil burial experiment. Lastly, the developed composites contain different amounts of plant micro- and macronutrients, indicating their potential as fertilizers. The results found in this work represent a sustainable, fully biobased alternative to other mulches already in the market.
Topics & Concepts
Materials scienceBiodegradationPolylactic acidMulchUltimate tensile strengthBiodegradable plasticComposite materialMoisturePlasticizerPulp and paper industryAgronomyPolymerOrganic chemistryChemistryEngineeringBiologybiodegradable polymer synthesis and propertiesNanocomposite Films for Food PackagingNatural Fiber Reinforced Composites