ABSTRACT

The issues of petroleum-based plastics are increasing day by day, causing environmental and health impacts. One of the alternative ways to reduce these issues is to introduce a new biocomposite material in order to replace the commercial plastics. Poly(lactic) acid (PLA)/durian husk fiber (DHF) biofilms with different DHF contents (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) were prepared via a simple solvent casting method. The tensile, water absorption, and biodegradation properties of the PLA/DHF biofilms were investigated. The results revealed that the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of the PLA/DHF biofilms increased with increasing DHF content from 5 wt% to 10 wt%. However, the opposite results were shown in elongation at break. The tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of the PLA/DHF biofilms decreased as compared to neat PLA film due to the plasticized effect that happened in the biofilms. However, the enzymatic degradation with α-amylase and water absorption properties of the PLA/DHF biofilms increased with increasing of DHF content. Furthermore, alkali treatment with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was carried out on the DHF. The NaOH treatment enhanced the tensile strength and water resistance of the biofilms, but reduced the enzymatic degradation of the biofilms.

摘要

石油基塑料的问题与日俱增，对环境和健康造成影响。减少这些问题的一种替代方法是引入一种新的生物复合材料以取代商业塑料。通过简单的溶剂浇铸法制备了具有不同 DHF 含量（0、5、10、15 和 20 wt%）的聚乳酸（PLA）/榴莲壳纤维（DHF）生物膜。研究了PLA/DHF生物膜的拉伸、吸水和生物降解性能。结果表明，PLA/DHF生物膜的拉伸强度和弹性模量随着DHF含量从5 wt%增加到10 wt%而增加。然而，在断裂伸长率中显示了相反的结果。由于生物膜中发生的增塑效应，PLA/DHF 生物膜的拉伸强度和弹性模量与纯 PLA 膜相比有所降低。然而，随着DHF含量的增加，PLA/DHF生物膜的α-淀粉酶降解和吸水性能增加。此外，用氢氧化钠(NaOH)对DHF进行碱处理。NaOH处理提高了生物膜的抗拉强度和耐水性，但减少了生物膜的酶降解。