Poly Lactic Acid Research Articles

4D Printing of Multifunctional and Biodegradable PLA-PBAT-Fe3O4 Nanocomposites with Supreme Mechanical and Shape Memory Properties.

4D printing magneto-responsive shape memory polymers (SMPs) using biodegradable nanocomposites can overcome their low toughness and thermal resistance, and produce smart materials that can be controlled remotely without contact. This study presented the development of 3D/4D printable nanocomposites based on poly (lactic acid) (PLA)-poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) blends and magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles. The nanocomposites are prepared by melt mixing PLA-PBAT blends with different Fe3O4 contents (10, 15, and 20 wt%) and extruded into granules for material extrusion 3D printing. The morphology, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), mechanical properties, and shape memory behavior of the nanocomposites are investigated. The results indicated that the Fe3O4 nanoparticles are preferentially distributed in the PBAT phases, enhancing the storage modulus, thermal stability, strength, elongation, toughness, shape fixity, and recovery of the nanocomposites. The optimal Fe3O4 loading is found to be 10 wt%, as higher loadings led to nanoparticle agglomeration and reduced performance. The nanocomposites also exhibited fast shape memory response under thermal and magnetic activation due to the presence of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The 3D/4D printable nanocomposites demonstrated multifunctional multi-trigger shape-memory capabilities and potential applications in contactless and safe actuation.

Complete genome sequence of polylactic acid degrading Rhodopseudomonas palustris strain R1 isolated from rice field soil.

Rhodopseudomonas palustris R1 is a phototrophic, purple, non-sulfur Gram-negative bacterium first isolated from the soils of rice fields, known for its polylactic acid degradability. Here, we present the complete circular genome sequence of this bacterium, spanning 5.32 Mbp and 4,949 protein-coding sequences.

Compatibilization of Poly(lactic acid)/Poly(propylene carbonate) blends by star-shaped multi-arm polymer with low molecular weight

Compatibilizing polymer blends via a facile and efficient manner is of great significance since polymer blends are practical in industrial applications but limit severely by poor compatibility. Herein, we propose a novel compatibilization strategy that star-shaped multi-arm polymer with low molecular weight can be an excellent compatibilizer for polymer blends. As an example of the concept, a modified tannic acid (mTA) with a star-shaped multi-arm structure is fabricated to compatibilize biodegradable poly(lactic acid)/poly(propylene carbonate) (PLA/PPC) blend. Compared to traditional compatibilization methods, mTA shows higher compatibilization efficiency and lower limitation in distribution as mTA can exert compatibilization at the interface and in PLA and PPC phases. Consequently, mTA compatibilizes the PLA/PPC blend efficiently, leading to strikingly reduced size of PPC dispersed phase and optimized interface. The mechanism is revealed to stem from the reduced interfacial tension and regulated viscosity ratio. With the improved compatibility, PLA70/PPC30/mTA4 shows an elongation at break of 307.5 ± 15.4 % and a toughness of 85.2 ± 4.5 MJ/m3, which is 680 % and 800 % of that of PLA70/PPC30 respectively. We envision that this work provides a novel and facile compatibilization strategy and will promote the fabrication of high-performance polymer blends.

Effects of Grapevine Fiber and Additives on the Properties of Polylactic Acid Green Bio-Composites

In recent years, numerous researchers have incorporated plant fibers into polymers to alter the thermal and mechanical properties of materials. Grapevines, considered agricultural waste, have led to burdens for farmers and environmental challenges due to their mass production. This study aims to reduce the brittleness of polylactic acid (PLA) by adding polybutylene succinate (PBS) as a toughening agent and employing grapevine fiber (GVF) as a biomass filler. Additionally, the influence of GVF, toughening agents, compatibilizers, and lubrication agents on the tensile strength, heat deflection temperature (HDT), and impact strength of the composites was examined. The findings revealed that the addition of 10% GVF and 5% PBS increased the impact and tensile strengths of PLA from 17.47 J/m and 49.74 MPa to 29.7 J/m and 54.46 MPa, respectively. Moreover, the HDT of the composites exceeded 120 °C when the GVF content was more than 40 wt%. Additionally, the inclusion of a compatibilizer and a lubrication agent enabled the composite containing 30% GVF to achieve tensile and impact strengths of 45.30 MPa and 25.52 J/m, respectively. Consequently, these GVF/PLA green bio-composites not only improve the mechanical and thermal properties of PLA but also promote the reuse of waste grapevines.

Improving Hydrophobicity and Water Vapor Barrier Properties in Paper Using Cellulose Nanofiber-Stabilized Cocoa Butter and PLA Emulsions

This study explores the use of cellulose nanofiber (CNF)-stabilized Pickering emulsions for paper coatings, focusing on their rheological properties and effects on hydrophilicity and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR). Two types of Pickering emulsions, oil-in-water (O/W), were stabilized with 1 wt% CNF extracted from fique by-products. The oily phases of the emulsions were composed of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and cocoa butter (CB). The physical stability, viscosity, and viscoelasticity of the emulsions were characterized. The emulsions were applied to the surfaces of Bond and Kraft papers using the rod-coating method. The coating process involved first applying a layer of the PLA emulsion followed by a layer of the CB emulsion. The coated papers were then evaluated by FE-SEM, contact angle, adhesion work, and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR). The results indicated that the coatings effectively produced a slightly hydrophobic surface on the papers, with contact angles approaching 90°. Initially, Kraft paper exhibited a WVTR value of 29.20 ± 1.13 g/m2·h, which significantly decreased to 7.06 ± 2.80 g/m2·h after coating, representing a reduction of 75.82%. Similarly, natural Bond paper showed a WVTR value of 30.56 ± 0.34 g/m2·h, which decreased to 14.37 ± 5.91 g/m2·h after coating, indicating a reduction of 47.02%. These findings demonstrate the potential of CNF-stabilized Pickering emulsions for enhancing the performance of paper coatings in terms of hydrophobicity and moisture barrier properties. The approach of this study aligns with global sustainability goals in packaging materials combining the use of PLA and CB to develop a waterborne coating to enhance the moisture barrier properties, demonstrated by a substantial reduction in water vapor transmission rates, and an improved hydrophobicity of coated papers.

Performance Analysis Associated with Experimental Verification of Innovative Poly Lactic Acid Material Developed by Fused Deposition Modeling with Quantitively Filling Strategies

Performance Analysis Associated with Experimental Verification of Innovative Poly Lactic Acid Material Developed by Fused Deposition Modeling with Quantitively Filling Strategies

Recyclable hemp hurd fibre-reinforced PLA composites for 3D printing

In this study, 3D printing filaments were produced from hemp hurd fibre-reinforced polylactide (PLA) composites. Hemp hurd microfibres were obtained through alkaline digestion followed by a bleaching treatment and were used to produce PLA-based composites with 20–40 wt% fibre content for fused deposition modelling. Tensile testing of 3D printed composites revealed a gradual increase of Young's modulus with the addition of fibres, reaching a maximum of 7.1 GPa for the 40 wt% composite - a two-fold increase to neat PLA. However, tensile strength was only improved for the 20 wt% formulation, with an increase of 8% in comparison with neat PLA. Nevertheless, the thermo-mechanical properties of the composites were significantly enhanced with the addition of fibres. In addition, physical objects were printed from the recycled filaments to assess their recyclability and printability. It was found that the recycled filaments maintained comparable mechanical properties and printability after three recycling cycles.

Pinewood biochar antistatic polymer composites: an investigation of electrical, mechanical, rheological and thermal properties

ABSTRACT This study investigates the practical applications of biochar as an innovative and sustainable conductive filler in composite materials. Utilizing the conventional melt-blending method, we prepared conductive pinewood biochar-filled poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PLA/PBAT) composites and systematically examined their electrical, mechanical, rheological and thermal properties. Our results reveal a significant enhancement of electrical and mechanical properties upon the inclusion of conductive pinewood biochar in the PLA/PBAT matrix. With the addition of 10 wt% of conductive pinewood biochar, the average surface resistivity of the composites decreased by three orders of magnitude, measuring 4.86 × 10 10 Ω / sq , which meets the antistatic requirements for polymer composites. Additionally, the average tensile strength of the biochar filler composites improved by 53% with an addition of just 1 wt% of biochar.

Metal–Polymer Joining by Additive Manufacturing: Effect of Printing Parameters and Interlocking Design

Additive manufacturing has a strong potential to produce sound metal–polymer joints using controlled polymer deposition on a metallic substrate. In this way, this study aimed to explore the morphological and mechanical properties of metal–polymer joints produced through material-extrusion-based AM using a pin-based macro-mechanical interlocking mechanism. Joints were fabricated with polylactic acid deposited onto a heated aluminium alloy substrate to form the connection. The optimisation process was focused on improving the printing parameters and pin geometries to reduce voids and enhance joint integrity. The results indicate that optimised samples exhibit superior mechanical resistance, achieving a maximum load improvement with an overall strength increase of 368.97% compared to non-optimised joints. A combined pin geometry (50% cylindrical, 50% conical) was found to be the most effective. Morphological analysis confirmed uniform polymer deposition, ensuring reliable joint performance. These findings underscore the critical role of geometric optimisation in enhancing the strength and durability of metal–polymer joints in AM applications.

Development of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites for Additive Manufacturing and Multi-Material Structures in Sustainable Applications

This study investigates the mechanical properties of carbon and natural fiber-reinforced Polylactic Acid (PLA) and Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG) composites produced via Additive Manufacturing (AM), focusing on Material Extrusion (MEX). The performance of filaments made from pre-consumer recycled PLA (rPLA) and PETG, with varying weight percentages of hemp and jute short fibers, was evaluated through tensile testing. Comparisons were made between the original filaments (PLA, carbon fiber-reinforced PLA [CF–PLA], and PETG) and their recycled versions. Multi-material compositions—neat PLA and PETG, single-graded (PLA + CF–PLA, PETG + CF–PETG), and multi-gradient (PLA + CF–PLA + PLA, PETG + CF–PETG + PETG)—were analyzed for mechanical properties. Optical microscope images of multi-material specimens were captured before and after fracture to assess failure mechanisms. The results indicate that the original CF–PETG filaments achieved a tensile strength of 50.14 MPa, which is higher than rPLA, PLA, and CF–PLA by 2%, 70%, and 6.7%, respectively. The re-manufactured PLA filaments reinforced with 7 wt% hemp fibers exhibited a tensile strength of 38.8 MPa, representing a 29% increase compared to the original PLA filaments and a 26% improvement over recycled PLA. Additionally, incorporating 7% jute fiber into PETG resulted in a tensile strength of 62.38 MPa, reflecting a 12% improvement over the original PETG filaments and a 15% increase compared to the recycled PETG filaments. Among specimens produced by AM, CF–PLA and rPLA demonstrated the highest tensile and compressive strengths. However, multi-material composites showed reduced mechanical performance compared to neat PLA and PETG, highlighting the need for improved interlayer adhesion. This study emphasizes the importance of optimizing material combinations and fiber reinforcement to enhance the mechanical properties of composites produced through AM.

PLA based biodegradable bionanocomposite filaments reinforced with nanocellulose: development and analysis of properties

The 3D printing technique has recently become more prevalent among researchers for the fabrication of nanocomposites. The low crystallinity of polylactic acid (PLA) leads to the poor mechanical and thermal properties of its 3D-printed products, which restrict their applications in many fields. To overcome the limitations of PLA, the present work aims to develop PLA-based bionanocomposite filaments with varying percentages (1, 3, and 5 wt%) of crystalline nanocellulose (CNC) through a single screw extruder. The filaments will be further utilized for the development of bionanocomposite samples to evaluate their properties. The effect of CNC reinforcement on the chemical structure of the filaments was analyzed by FTIR analysis. XRD analysis revealed that the crystallinity of the filaments was significantly improved due to the nucleating effect of CNC. The maximum crystallinity was observed in the filament containing 1 wt% CNC, which was 26% higher than the pure PLA filament. The thermal and mechanical performance of the filaments was also considerably improved after CNC reinforcement, which was confirmed by DSC-TGA and tensile test analysis. The maximum tensile strength and tensile modulus were observed to be 48.9 MPa and 1700 MPa, respectively, in the filament reinforced with 1 wt% CNC, which was 35.5% and 21.89%, respectively, higher than those of the pure PLA filament. Rheological analysis showed that the complex viscosity, storage modulus, and loss modulus of the filaments were significantly affected by the reinforcement of CNC.

Preparation and Characterization of Poly(lactic acid)-Based Poly(ethylene glycol) and Daphne Essential Oil-Loaded Smart Nanofibers for Thermal Protection.

Phase change material (PCM) stores latent heat energy, and poly(ethylene glycol) (Mw: 4000) (PEG 4000) is also a solid-liquid PCM. PEG and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) polymers are biodegradable. Essential oils are known as plant extracts with antimicrobial properties. In this study, daphne essential oil (DEO) obtained by the distillation method and PLA/PEG/DEO composite nanofibers were prepared by the electrospinning method with PLA, PEG 4000, and daphne (Laurus nobilis L.) essential oil in certain ratios (100/100/20, 100/120/20, and 100/150/20). DEO showed an antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria. Thermal behaviors of the nanofibers were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Morphological features were observed by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), crystal behavior by X-ray diffraction analysis, and molecular structures were examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Essential oil composition was determined by GC-MS. The thermal decomposition temperatures of the nanofibers were found between 250 and 276 °C, and the latent heat storage energies of nanofibers were 69.06, 86.76, and 96.39 J g-1 at temperatures 59.0 and 54.37 °C. High PCM added fiber was observed as 182 nm diameter with 3.264 μm diameter spheres. The produced nanofiber matrix has the potential to be used in applications such as medicine, textile, and hot food logistics.

Mechanistic insight into interactive effect of microplastics and arsenic on growth of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and soil health indicators

Microplastics (MPs) pollution has recently become a major concern for agroecosystems. The interplay between MPs, and heavy metal(loid)s in the soil can intensify the risks to plant growth and human health. The current study investigated the interactive effects of arsenic (As) and biodegradable and petroleum-based conventional MPs on rice growth, As bioavailability, soil bacterial communities, and soil enzyme activities. As-contaminated soil (5 mg kg−1) was treated with conventional MPs i.e., polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE) and biodegradable MPs i.e., polylactic acid (PLA) and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) at 0.1 % and 1 % rates. In a pot experiment, rice plants were cultivated in soil co-contaminated with As and MPs. PLA-MPs exhibited significant interactions with As, increasing its bioavailability and impairing rice plant growth by enhancing plant oxidative stress. The results illustrated that T2 treatment (PLA-MPs @ 1 % + As 5 mg kg−1) significantly decreased the root and shoot lengths, root and shoot dry weights as well as the rates of photosynthesis, transpiration, intercellular CO2, and stomatal conductance in rice plants. Biodegradable PLA-MPs @ 1 % resulted in increased uptake of As in rice roots, stems, and leaves by 13.4 %, 38.9 %, and 20.6 %, respectively. In contrast, conventional PE-MPs @ 1 % showed contradictory results with As uptake declined by 2.2 %, 5.1 %, and 9.9 % in rice roots, stem and leaves. Soil enzyme kinetics showed that biodegradable MPs increased the activities of soil catalase, dehydrogenase, and phytase enzymes, whereas both conventional PS and PE-MPs decreased their activities. Moreover, As and PLA-MPs combined stress altered soil bacterial communities by increasing the relative abundance of Protobacteria, Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Firmicutes phyla by 49 %, 29 %, 82 %, and 57 %, respectively. This study provides new insights into MPs-As interactions in soil-plant system and ecological risks associated with their coexistence.

Construction of a hydrophobicity, phosphorus‐ and nitrogen‐containing layered double hydroxides‐based synergistic effect flame retardant for poly (lactic acid)

AbstractIn this work, a synergistic effect strategy was explored for fabricating hydrophobicity, phosphorus‐ and nitrogen‐containing layered double hydroxides nanosheets (LDHs) based flame retardant (LDHs‐K@DM). This fabricating process was achieved by amination of the surface of LDHs and, subsequently, interfacial self‐assembly with high P content of diethylenetriaminpenta (methylene‐phosphonic acid) (DTPMP) and high N content of melamine (MEL). The chemical construction and thermal stabilization properties of LDHs‐K@DM were confirmed via different characterization approaches. The results revealed that LDHs‐K@DM was successfully prepared and the surface of LDHs‐K@DM was transformed into hydrophobicity with high water contact angle. Moreover, LDHs‐K@DM had better thermal stability. After that, LDHs‐K@DM was molten compounded with biobased polylactic acid (PLA). It was suggested that LDHs‐K@DM were uniformly dispersed in the PLA matrix and could accelerate the decomposition of PLA to form char residues. Most importantly, the addition of 20 wt% LDHs‐K@DM into PLA can endow the composite to achieve a desirable UL‐94 V‐0 rating and the limiting oxygen index value of 30.9%. Finally, the synergistic effect flame retardant mechanism of LDHs‐K@DM was comprehensively analyzed. This synergistic decorating strategy for preparing LDHs‐K@DM flame retardant is promising for industrial production.

Fused Filament Fabrication 3D Printing Parameters Affecting the Translucency of Polylactic Acid Parts.

The effect of 3D printing parameters by Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) on the translucency of polylactic acid (PLA) parts was investigated. Six different printing parameters were studied: object orientation, layer height, nozzle temperature, fan speed, extrusion multiplier, and printing speed. The commercially available Plasty Mladeč PLA filament and the Original Prusa MK4 3D printer were used for the experiments. The translucency of the printed samples of 50 × 25 × 1 mm dimensions was measured using a luxmeter in an integrating sphere. A total of 32 sample combinations were created. Each sample was printed ten times. The results show that all investigated parameters significantly affect the optical properties of PLA parts. The best measured translucency values were obtained when printing in portrait mode, with a layer height of 0.30 mm, nozzle temperature of 240 °C, fan speed of 100%, 0.75 set extrusion multiplier, and a speed of 40 mm/s. ANOVA was used to statistically evaluate the effect of each parameter on translucency, and statistically significant differences were found between different combinations of parameters (p < 0.05). Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis provided detailed images of the surface structure of the printed samples, allowing for a better discussion of the microscopic properties affecting the translucency. The best print setting has an efficiency of 88% compared to the default setting of 65%. The ability of visible light to pass through the print (translucency) improved by 23%.

Characterization of PLA/LW-PLA Composite Materials Manufactured by Dual-Nozzle FDM 3D-Printing Processes.

This study investigates the properties of 3D-printed composite structures made from polylactic acid (PLA) and lightweight-polylactic acid (LW-PLA) filaments using dual-nozzle fused-deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing. Composite structures were modeled by creating three types of cubes: (i) ST4-built with a total of four alternating layers of the two filaments in the z-axis, (ii) ST8-eight alternating layers of the two filaments, and (iii) CH4-a checkered pattern with four alternating divisions along the x, y, and z axes. Each composite structure was analyzed for printing time and weight, morphology, and compressive properties under varying nozzle temperatures and infill densities. Results indicated that higher nozzle temperatures (230 °C and 240 °C) activate foaming, particularly in ST4 and ST8 at 100% infill density. These structures were 103.5% larger on one side than the modeled dimensions and up to 9.25% lighter. The 100% infill density of ST4-Com-PLA/LW-PLA-240 improved toughness by 246.5% due to better pore compression. The ST4 and ST8 cubes exhibited decreased stiffness with increasing temperatures, while CH4 maintained consistent compressive properties across different conditions. This study confirmed that the characteristics of LW-PLA become more pronounced as the material is printed continuously, with ST4 showing the strongest effect, followed by ST8 and CH4. It highlights the importance of adjusting nozzle temperature and infill density to control foaming, density, and mechanical properties. Overall optimal conditions are 230 °C and 50% infill density, which provide a balance of strength and toughness for applications.

Effect of carbodiimides on the compatibility and hydrolytic behavior of PLA/PBAT blends

Blends of polylactic acid (PLA) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) have great potential to replace conventional polyolefin and polyester materials. However, poor compatibility and fast degradation rate limit its development. In this paper, the effects of two monomer-type carbodiimides and one polymerized carbodiimide on the crystalline, thermal stability, hydrolysis properties, and mechanical properties of PLA/PBAT blends are investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, gel permeation chromatography, melt mass-flow rate, terminal carboxyl content, tensile properties, and rotational torque. It is found that all the three carbodiimide additives can improve the compatibility and enhance the mechanical, processing, and thermal stability properties of PLA/PBAT blends except for their reduced crystallization performance. Moreover, regarding the hydrolysis properties, the two monomeric carbodiimides exhibit little effect on the hydrolysis of PLA/PBAT blends, even accelerating the degradation rate under alkaline conditions. However, the antihydrolysis effect of polycarbodiimide is remarkable, which effectively improves the compatibility and antihydrolysis properties of PLA/PBAT blends.

Mechanical and shape-memory properties of TPMS with hybrid configurations and materials

ABSTRACT Triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structures with excellent properties of stable energy absorption, light weight, and high specific strength could potentially spark immense interest for novel and programmable functions by combining smart materials, e.g. shape memory polymers (SMPs). This work proposes TPMS lattices with hybrid configurations and materials that are composed of viscoelastic and shape-memory materials with the aim to bring temperature-dependent mechanical properties and additional dissipation mechanisms. Different configurations and diverse materials of polylactic acid (PLA), fiber-reinforced PLA, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) are induced, generating five types of TPMS lattices, including (Schoen’s I-WP) IWP uniform lattice, IWP lattice with density gradient, hybrid configurations, hybrid materials, and filled PDMS, which are fabricated by 3D printing. The fracture morphologies and the distribution of carbon fibers are demonstrated via scanning electron microscopy with a focus on the influence of carbon fiber on shape-memory and mechanical properties. Shape recovery tests are conducted, which proves good shape memory properties and reusable capability of TPMS lattice. The combined methods of experiments and numerical simulation are adopted to evaluate mechanical properties, which presents multi-stage energy absorption ability and tunable vibration isolation performances associated with temperature and hybridization designs. This work can promote extensive research and provide substantial opportunities for TPMS lattices in the development of functional applications.

Comparative Study of Polycaprolactone and Polylactic Acid as Matrices for Atorvastatin Release - Biomaterial Suppliers for Additive Manufacturing in Drug Delivery Systems using nanocomposites

The use of the polymer/drug combination in additive manufacturing involves filament production through hot melt extrusion (HME). Atorvastatin (ATV) has diverse effects, including bone anabolism and cardiovascular improvements. This study compares the addition of ATV to polycaprolactone (PCL) and polylactic acid (PLA). Filaments of PCL/ATV and PLA/ATV were produced through HME and characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Raman, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS). ATV release was assessed using UV-Vis. The EDS analysis confirmed the presence of ATV in the filament, despite it not being possible, based on surface morphology, to distinguish between polymer and drug, which indicates good dispersion of ATV in the polymeric matrix. FTIR, RAMAN, XRD, and SAXS analyses reveal ATV's distinct interactions with PLA and PCL. FTIR highlights ATV's stronger interaction with PLA, while Raman indicates changes in PLA, they are less pronounced than in PCL. The XRD shows PLA's amorphous nature compared to PCL semi crystallinity nature. XRD suggests potential ATV amorphization in PLA_ATVf (filaments), while PCL_ATVf shows a decrease in crystallinity compared to PCL. HME's effect on ATV is essential. Despite ATV's crystallinity in PCL-ATVf by XRD, its release resembles PLA_ATVf. At the eighth hour, ATV release from PCL_ATVf was 12% higher than from PLA_ATVf. The data fitted the Korsmeyer-Peppas model.

Novel post-heat treatment green biodegradable PLA@SiO2 nanocomposite membrane for water desalination

Membrane distillation (MD) has received significant attention because of its energy efficiency and ability to treat industrial wastewater and salty water. However, the synthetic nature of commonly used membranes raises environmental disposal concerns, requiring the development of alternative eco-membranes. To address this issue, a novel, eco-friendly membrane using polylactic acid (PLA) coated with green silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs), modified by post-heat treatment, was developed for effective direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD). Herein, two nanofibrous membranes were fabricated via electrospinning/electrospraying: one, PLA, with a 12.5 wt% PLA solution, and another, PLA@SiO2, with 2 % (w/v) SiO2 NPs coating. The PLA@SiO2 membrane demonstrated enhanced hydrophobicity. Various post-heat treatments were applied to optimize membrane properties, such as structure, pore size, hydrophobicity, liquid entry pressure (LEP), thickness, and thermal stability. In addition, the desalination performance of all membranes was evaluated using a DCMD unit for 6 h. Results showed that the heat-pressed then annealed PLA@SiO2 membrane (denoted M44) exhibited notable improvements, including an LEP of 128.7 kPa, a tunable pore size of 0.21 μm, and a contact angle of 135.9°. Furthermore, the M44 membrane demonstrated a porosity of 80.5 %, a stable permeate flux of 14.3 kg.m−2.h−1, and an exceptional salt rejection of 99.99 % over a 24 h DCMD test. This novel eco-membrane shows promising potential for efficient desalination and represents a significant advancement in sustainable MD applications.