• Advances in materials Research
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.243-251
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• 2024

The asymmetric polylactic acid (PLA) membrane was prepared via phase inversion method using non-solvent induced separation (NIPS) technique. This study aims to synthesized as well as to characterize the PLA membrane and evaluating the membrane performance on water flux and permeability. In addition, this research also studied the removal performance of methylene blue dye. The polymer solution has been prepared using 12 wt.% of PLA and dissolved in 88 wt.% of Dimethylacetamide (DMAc) as a solvent. Then, the cast film was immersed in different ratio of coagulant bath medium (distilled water: methanol: ethanol) ranging from 100:0:0, 75:25:0, 75:0:25 and 75:12.5:12.5, respectively). Several characterizations were performed which include, membrane contact angle and membrane porosity. Performance PLA membranes were determined in terms of water flux and permeability at 1 bar transmembrane pressure using dead-end permeation cell. Finally, methylene blue (MB) removal efficiency was tested at the same transmembrane pressure. The findings revealed that the increase of alcohol concentration in coagulant bath resulted in higher porosity and lower contact angle. In short, MB dye rejection efficiency is also closely related to the amount of alcohol ratio used in coagulant baths. Increases in concentration of methanol and ethanol in coagulant bath medium increases the membrane porosity thus increased in efficiency of methylene blue rejection.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.104-111
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• 2013

Poymer blends of two degradable aliphatic polyesters, relatively expensive material polylactic acid (PLA) and relatively inexpensive material poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), were used in this study. Three different kinds of modifiers were used with various amounts. Diisocyanate type methylenediphenyl 4,4'-diisocyanate (MDI) and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) were used as modifiers and epoxy type coupling agents also used. The melt flow index (MFI) and dynamic viscoelasticity of various compositions of PLA/PBAT blends were studied. The mechanical property and morphology with respect to the fracture surface of PLA/PBAT blends were also investigated using tensile test and field emission scanning electronic microscopy, respectively. These tests were also used to verify the compatibility of PLA/PBAT and the effect of mechanical properties due to the use of modifiers. Tensile properties of PLA/PBAT blends modified with HDI were improved remarkably.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.425.1-425.1
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• 2002

Nanoparticles of polylactic acid (PLA) and polyethylenimine (PEI) as an effective gene delivery agent were prepared and characterized. As a model plamid DNA. PME185/$\beta$-gal. a mammalian expression vector. and fluorescence enhancing protein (pEGHP) were used. The effects of PEI type on the physical properties of nanoparticles and transfection efficiency were examined. (omitted)

• Clean Technology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.172-177
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• 2023

Many studies have been conducted on the indiscriminate use of plastic due to the environment problems it has caused all over the world. This problem can be mitigated by using eco-friendly/biodegradable plastics that can be decomposed by microorganisms or enzymes. This study focused on addressing the plastic golf tees that are thrown away at golf courses. In order to replace conventional golf tees (ABS) with a more eco-friendly alternative, this study explored a biodegradable plastic and 3D printing method for producing golf tees. Among the biodegradable plastics, PLA (polylactic acid) was found to be a good candidate as an eco-friendly material because it is biodegradable by microorganisms. Thus, golf tees were prepared by using PLA via 3D printing, and the physical and chemical properties of the tees were evaluated. The amorphous region of PLA was confirmed through XRD. Also, FT-IR showed the unique peak of PLA without impurities. It was confirmed through an optical microscope that the specific surface area and roughness had increased. This structure plays a role in firmly fixing the golf tee when it is inserted into the ground. In addition, it was possible to improve the compressive load compared to ABS golf tees while also decreasing the compressive stretching.

• Composites Research
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.448-453
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• 2023

This paper explores developing sustainable 3D printing filaments using organic soybean hulls mixed with polylactic acid (PLA). The study experiments with various particle sizes and mixing ratios, examining the physical and mechanical properties of the resulting filaments. Results show that smaller soybean hull particles and specific mixing ratios enhance the filament's quality while maintaining PLA's characteristics. This research signifies a step towards environmentally friendly 3D printing materials, offering a viable alternative to conventional filaments and addressing ecological concerns in the industry.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.205-220
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• 2024

Various polylactic acid (PLA) blends were reinforced with untreated or silane-treated micro-sized cellulose fiber (MCF), successfully prepared as 3D printing filaments and then printed using a fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printer. In this study, we focused on developing 3D-printed MCF/PLA composites through silane treatment of MCF and investigating the effect of silane treatment on the various properties of FFF 3D-printed composites. Fourier transform infrared spectra confirmed the increase in hydrophobic properties of silane-treated MCF by showing the new absorption peaks at 1,100 cm^-1, 1,030 cm^-1, and 815 cm^-1 representing C-NH₂, Si-O-Si, and Si-CH₂ bonds, respectively. In scanning electron microscope images of silane-treated MCF filled PLA composites, the improved interfacial adhesion between MCF and PLA matrix was observed. The mechanical properties of the 3D-printed MCF/PLA composites with silane-treated MCF were improved compared to those of the 3D-printed MCF/PLA composites with untreated MCF. In particular, the highest tensile and flexural modulus values were observed for S-MCF10 (5,784.77 MPa) and S-MCF5 (2,441.67 MPa), respectively. The thermal stability of silane-treated MCF was enhanced by delaying the initial thermal decomposition temperature compared to untreated MCF. The thermal decomposition temperature difference at T₉₅ was around 26℃. This study suggests that the effect of silane treatment on the 3D-printed MCF/PLA composites is effective and promising.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.30 no.4 s.152
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• pp.607-614
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• 2006

This study was carried out to suggest the optimal spinning process condition which provides a proper range of tenacity and biodegradability as textile fibers. The effects of the melt spinning speed and heat treatment on the mechanical property and biodegradability of polylactic acid fiber were investigated. Polylactic acid(PLA) was spun in a high spinning speed of $2000{\sim}4000m/min$. Each specimen was heat-treated at $100^{\circ}C$ during 30min. Mechanical properties such as breaking stress and the degree of crystallinity were evaluated using WAXS. Biodegradability was estimated from the decrease of breaking stress, weight loss, and the degree of crystallinity after soil burial. Experimental results revealed that heat treated specimens showed higher breaking stress than untreated specimens, but the increase was not so high as was expected from the remarkable change of crystallinity by heat treatment. It was concluded that breaking stress was more influenced by spinning speed than heat treatment. In the soil burial test, however biodegradability calculated from weight loss was more influenced by heat treatment than spinning speed.

• Proceedings of the Polymer Society of Korea Conference
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• 2006.10a
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• pp.331-331
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• 2006

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a promising polymer because it can be derived from renewable resources and provides a biodegradable alternative to petrochemical based polymers. This research aims to synthesize PLA, through direct polycondensation and also tries to avoid the occurrence of separation by-product and the use of catalysts in the process. The polymerization of lactic acid was done at three different temperatures $150^{\circ}C,\;180^{\circ}C\;and\;200^{\circ}C$ for 90 h without catalysts and organic solvent. The proposed process provides results that are comparable to those that incorporate catalysts; during polymerization temperature was $180^{\circ}C$ the molecular weight of PLA obtained reached 42448 Da. The thermal properties of PLA analysis by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC).

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.305-311
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• 2013

PLA(polylactic acid), one of biodegradable polymers was blended with various amounts of wood pulp powder through solution blending technic to verify the effect of reinforcing pulp amount on the mechanical properties of blend films. Also these blend films were further modified with TDI(toluene diisocyanate) as crosslinking agent to introduce urethane functions by reaction of pulp hydroxyl groups and isocyanate. As a result, the tensile strength of blend film with 0.25 wt% pulp was increased from $565.25kg_f/cm^2$ for PLA film itself to $624.20kg_f/cm^2$. However, elongation of this film was decreased by 50% of that of PLA film itself. Only PLA/pulp blend film further modified with 500% of TDI/0.25 wt% pulp showed the slightly increased tensile strength but decreased elongation. Melting point and glass transition temperature of PLA/pulp blend films were confirmed by using Differential Scanning Calorimeter(DSC). Thermal stability of these blend films measured by TGA showed only a slight increase at temperature lower than $300^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.204-211
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• 2020

Poly-Lactic Acid(PLA) fiber is an eco-friendly material and is biodegradable, so it can be utilized for manufacturing porous construction materia ls with interna l pore connection. In this study, domestic PLA fiber products(0.5mm india meter, 1.0mm in length, 10mm in length) were tested for melting at high temperatures and high alkality, and they were incorporated with FA-based geopolymer. Compressive strength was obtained through high temperature curing and alkali activator, however the complete melting of the PLA fiber was not ensured. The previous study handling PLA fiber with 0.003mm in diameter was completely dissolved, but 0.5mm and 1.0mm in diameter showed 42.5% and 33.3% of dissolution ratio, respectively. In addition, the increasing fiber volume led floating fibers during curing, which had a negative effect on its workability and solubility. Although the properties of PLA fiber may vary depending on the raw materials and production conditions, PLA fiber with 0.1mm or less diameter is recommended for porous construction material.