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A review on degradation mechanisms of polylactic acid: Hydrolytic, photodegradative, microbial, and enzymatic degradation
Author(s) -
Zaaba Nor Fasihah,
Jaafar Mariatti
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.25511
Subject(s) - polylactic acid , biodegradable polymer , lactide , degradation (telecommunications) , hydrolytic degradation , materials science , hydrolysis , renewable resource , biodegradation , biodegradable plastic , polymer , polystyrene , renewable energy , polymer science , organic chemistry , composite material , chemistry , computer science , copolymer , engineering , telecommunications , electrical engineering
Recently, thoughtful disagreements between scientists concerning environmental issues including the use of renewable materials have enhanced universal awareness of the use of biodegradable materials. Polylactic acid (PLA) is one of the most promising biodegradable materials for commercially replacing nondegradable materials such as polyethylene terephthalate and polystyrene. The main advantages of PLA production over the conventional plastic materials is PLA can be produced from renewable resources such as corn or other carbohydrate sources. Besides, PLA provides adequate energy saving by consuming CO 2 during production. Thus, we aim to highlight recent research involving the investigation of properties of PLA, its applications and the four types of potential PLA degradation mechanisms. In the first part of the article, a brief discussion of the problems surrounding use of conventional plastic is provided and examples of biodegradable polymers currently used are provided. Next, properties of PLA, and (Poly[L‐lactide]), (Poly[D‐lactide]) (PDLA) and (Poly[DL‐lactide]) and application of PLA in various industries such as in packaging, transportation, agriculture and the biomedical, textile and electronic industry are described. Behaviors of PLA subjected to hydrolytic, photodegradative, microbial and enzymatic degradation mechanisms are discussed in detail in the latter portion of the article.