Abstract
Over recent years, enthusiasm towards the manufacturing of biopolymers has attracted considerable attention due to the rising concern about depleting resources and worsening pollution. Among the biopolymers available in the world, polylactic acid (PLA) is one of the highest biopolymers produced globally and thus, making it suitable for product commercialisation. Therefore, the effectiveness of natural fibre reinforced PLA composite as an alternative material to substitute the non-renewable petroleum-based materials has been examined by researchers. The type of fibre used in fibre/matrix adhesion is very important because it influences the biocomposites’ mechanical properties. Besides that, an outline of the present circumstance of natural fibre-reinforced PLA 3D printing, as well as its functions in 4D printing for applications of stimuli-responsive polymers were also discussed. This research paper aims to present the development and conducted studies on PLA-based natural fibre bio-composites over the last decade. This work reviews recent PLA-derived bio-composite research related to PLA synthesis and biodegradation, its properties, processes, challenges and prospects.
Highlights
Since the early 1970s, biodegradable polymers have been attracting the focus of researchers on their development as a result of increasing concern about material resources as well as plastic disposal issues [1,2,3,4]
The findings of this study suggested that a few levels of success in creating a superior interface were achieved by surface modifications of hydrophilic natural fibres, but cheaper cost surface modification needs to be emphasised in many applications in the future for biocomposites to replace glass fibre composites
In a study conducted by Khan et al [128], the mechanical properties of reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) composites for woven jute fabrics, an eco-friendly bio-composite was introduced as an alternative to the non-biodegradable synthetic fibre composite
Summary
Since the early 1970s, biodegradable polymers have been attracting the focus of researchers on their development as a result of increasing concern about material resources as well as plastic disposal issues [1,2,3,4]. Composite materials are formed within the complete structure of more than one material. The bulk of composites have solid and rigid fibres with a low density in a matrix. Polylactic acid (PLA) is a flexible polymer that is fermented into a carboxylic acid and made from sustainable agricultural waste [5,6]. The lactic acid is polymerized through a cyclic dilactone, lactide, and ring for product modification. The growing awareness of environmental sustainability and new laws and policies has pushed companies to produce environmentally friendly products [7]
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