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Field performance on lettuce crops of poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate)/polylactic acid as alternative biodegradable composites mulching films
Author(s) -
Souza Alana G.,
Ferreira Rafaela R.,
Harada Julio,
Rosa Derval S.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.50020
Subject(s) - biodegradation , materials science , polylactic acid , absorption of water , composite material , adipate , polyethylene terephthalate , ultimate tensile strength , thermogravimetric analysis , moisture , distilled water , chemical engineering , polymer , organic chemistry , chemistry , engineering , chromatography
This work developed biodegradable poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate)/polylactic acid (PBAT/PLA) composites with different fillers to improve their physicochemical properties and biodegradability. The films were tested considering mechanical, morphological, thermal, crystalline, biodegradability, and ecotoxicity tests. Mechanical and morphological results indicated that the fillers' nature influences mechanical performance; all composites showed high‐tensile strength (~30 MPa) than the pristine films (~12 MPa). The use of both fillers resulted in an interface, improving the matrix compatibility, reflecting in good thermal performance, low‐water absorption, and high hydrophobicity. The WA (water absorption) and hydrophobicity are essential to maintain the crop's moisture since the water lost through plant transpiration will be condensed and returned to the soil. Films showed biodegradability and absence of toxicity, which allows the substitution of polyethylene commodity films as mulching films. Biodegradation and ecotoxicity tests indicate that the developed films are beneficial for lettuce crops and contribute to the development of seedlings.