Abstract
AbstractPolylactic acid (PLA) is one of the main components of biodegradable and biocompatible composites. Bacterial cellulose from kombucha membranes is an excellent candidate to be used as a natural filler of eco-composites because it is renewable, has low cost, low density, and acceptable specific strength properties, and is biodegradable. The study aimed to prepare composites of PLA and bacterial cellulose to produce a biodegradable and compostable material. The bacterial microcellulose was obtained from kombucha membranes and blended with PLA by extrusion. The composites contained a PLA with 1%, 3%, and 5% of cellulose. We characterized the PLA, bacterial microcellulose, and composites to ascertain their size and aspect, degree of crystallinity, distribution of the cellulose into PLA, and their mechanical properties. We observed an increase in crystallinity proportional to the cellulose content for the blends and found that the 3% cellulose blend withstands the stress of up to 40 MPa and temperatures up to 120°C before distortion.
Highlights
Polylactic acid (PLA) is one of the main components of biodegradable and biocompatible composites
This study aimed to prepare a biodegradable composite of PLA and bacterial cellulose using a low-cost cellulose source
PLA has been used as the principal component of biocompatible blends and composites
Summary
Abstract: Polylactic acid (PLA) is one of the main components of biodegradable and biocompatible composites. Bacterial cellulose from kombucha membranes is an excellent candidate to be used as a natural filler of ecocomposites because it is renewable, has low cost, low density, and acceptable specific strength properties, and is biodegradable. The study aimed to prepare composites of PLA and bacterial cellulose to produce a biodegradable and compostable material. The bacterial microcellulose was obtained from kombucha membranes and blended with PLA by extrusion. The composites contained a PLA with 1%, 3%, and 5% of cellulose. We characterized the PLA, bacterial microcellulose, and composites to ascertain their size and aspect, degree of crystallinity, distribution of the cellulose into PLA, and their mechanical properties. We observed an increase in crystallinity proportional to the cellulose content for the blends and found that the 3% cellulose blend withstands the stress of up to 40 MPa and temperatures up to 120°C before distortion
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