Layering-Triggered Delayering with Exfoliated High-Aspect Ratio Layered Silicate for Enhanced Gas Barrier, Mechanical Properties, and Degradability of Biodegradable Polymers.

ABSTRACT: Research on biodegradable polymers with the intention of fast, complete degradation in industrial compost (i-compost) for organic recyclability is paramount to identifying solutions to the problem of excessive plastic waste originating specifically from packaging. Conventional biodegradable polymers, such as polylactide (PLA), are far from optimum for this application due to the poor gas barrier properties and slow degradation. In the paper, a new concept (triggered degradation by delayering) is shown in which exfoliated, self-assembled sodium-hectorite (Hec) arranged in a layer-by-layer manner alternating with electrospun hot-pressed PLA provides strong gas barrier properties at high humidity and simultaneously accelerates the degradation of PLA, as tested in an enzymatic solution and i-c

SUBMITTER: Zhu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7507042 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature