• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.93-98
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• 2020

The blends of Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) have been recognized as a replacement for commodity plastic films and bags in biodegradable packaging industries. The purpose of this study is to identify changes in the thermal and mechanical properties of PLA/PBAT blends with the addition of poly(ethylene oxide)(PEO). PLA (80%) and PBAT (20%) were melt mixed with 0 to 10 phr of PEO and processed using a hot press. The addition of PEO into PLA/PBAT increased the elongation at break and improved thermal stability. With PEO addition, two melting temperature (T_m) peaks of PLA/PBAT merged into one peak showing improved miscibility. The result of this study showed that the addition of PEO increased the ductility and thermal stability of PLA/PBAT blends.

• 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.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.79-86
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• 2023

In this study, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and Poly(butylene-adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) composite films containing calcined oyster shell powder (OSP) were evaluated for the applicability of antimicrobial packaging. PLA/PBAT-OSP composite films were prepared using twin-screw extruder. The OSP composite was incorporated into PLA/PBAT blend with different ratios (0, 1, 3, 5 and 10%) and the effect of OSP in the PLA/PBAT matrix was evaluated. The PLA/PBAT-OSP composite films were evaluated for properties using FT-IR, SEM, TGA, DSC, UTM, UV-vis, and Contact angle, as well as antimicrobial property was examined according to ISO 22196 - Antimicrobial Plastic Test. As OSP was added, it showed high antimicrobial activities for both Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. On the other hand, it was found that mechanical properties decreased as OSP was added. For the application of PLA/PBAT-OSP composite films as an antimicrobial packaging material, it is necessary to improve the dispersibility of OSP in the PLA/PBAT composite films and their physical properties at the same time.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.416-422
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• 2020

In this study, eco-friendly biodegradable materials were prepared using poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), and hydrogenated castor oil power (HCO) as an additive. The prepared PLA/PBAT/HCO blended films were characterized by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The results of SEM analysis indicated that PLA/PBAT (8 : 2) blended films added HCO showed no rough area, crack, or large agglomeration when compared with those adding various additives (12-hydroxy stearic acid (12HSA) and cellulose). The FT-IR results indicated the presence of specific peak of HCO in the PLA/PBAT blended films, and its peak intensity increased with increasing HCO content (0~5.0 wt%). Tensile strength, elongation at break, and water barrier and thermal properties of the prepared PLA/PBAT/HCO blended films were also investigated, indicating that the physical and thermal properties was improved more than three times by the addition of HCO. The biodegradability test in soil revealed that the prepared biodegradable materials were degraded by about 6.0~20% after 90 days.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.164-168
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• 2009

The effects of chemically modified thermoplastic starch (CMPS) on the morphology, thermal and mechanical properties of the blends of poly (lactic acid)(PLA) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)(PBAT) were studied. Blends of PLA/PBAT with the CMPS contents of 10, 20 and 30 wt% on the basis of PLA/PBAT weight were prepared by a twin screw extruder. The morphology, thermal and mechanical properties of the blends were examined by using scanning electron microscope (SEM), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and a tensile tester. The DSC study revealed that PLA/PBAT blends are thermodynamically immiscible, while the compatibility was much improved by addition of the CMPS.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.85-90
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• 2021

The gamma irradiation was on to Poly(butylene sebacate-co-terephthalate) (PBSeT), Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and casting polypropylene (CPP) at dose levels from 0 to 50 kGy. The properties of gamma irradiated samples were analyzed using DSC, TGA, UTM and FT-IR spectra. The mechanical and thermal properties of PBSeT and PBAT after gamma irradiation were less affected than CPP. The tensile strength and elongation of PBSeT was not affected by gamma irradiation, while these of PBAT, PLA and CPP were significantly decreased at 50 kGy gamma-ray dose. The thermal stability of PBSeT, PBAT, PLA and CPP showed a similar tendency to tensile strength. The glass transition temperature(T_g) and melting temperature(T_m) of PBSeT and PBAT were not altered by increasing gamma-ray dose, while these of PLA and CPP decreased. The chemical composition of all samples was not modified by gamma irradiation, and it was confirmed by FT-IR spectra. Based on mechanical and thermal stability studies of gamma irradiation on bioplastics, tested biodegradable packaging materials showed a potential to be used in sterilization process up to 35 kGy.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.44-50
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• 2007

This study investigated the effect of ultrasound irradiation on the blend of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). The blends of PLA/PBAT(50/50) (PBAT50) were prepared in a melt mixer with an ultrasonic device attached. Thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties, morphology, and biodegradability of the sonicated blends were analysed. The viscosity of the sonicated blends was increased by the ultrasound irradiation owing to the strong interaction. The morphology of the sonicated blends was significantly dependent on the duration o the ultrasound irradiation. For PBAT50, the phase size reduction was maximized when the blends were ultrasonically irradiated for 30 sec. At longer duration of ultrasound irradiation, the PBAT phase underwent flocculation. Measurement of the tensile properties showed an increased breakage tensile stress and an enhanced Young's modulus when the blends were properly irradiated. This improvement was ascribed to better adhesion between the PLA matrix and the PBAT domain and to better dispersion of the PBAT phase. However, the tensile properties were maximized after excessive energy irradiation, which was ascribed to an emulsifying effect leading to coalescence of the PBAT phase. Impact strength was increased to reach a peak with the ultrasound irradiation, and was higher than the untreated sample for all sonicated samples due to the difference of failure mechanism between the tensile test and the impact test.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.61-66
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• 2017

Poly lactic acid(PLA) and poly butylene adipate-co-terephthalate(PBAT) film was prepared using a twin extruder. PLA (25%) and PBAT (75%) were mixed with various ratio of chain extenders, such as $Joncryl^{(R)}$ and hexamethylene diisocyanate(HDI) to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of produced bio composite films. Tensile strengths of films were steadily increased with increasing ratio of chain extender. The tensile strength of control films was about 25 MPa, and the tensile strength of films with combined chain extenders was above 40 MPa. The films with $Joncryl^{(R)}$ resulted in improved tensile strength, while the film with HDI alone showed improved percent elongation at break. By adding chain extenders into PLA/PBAT resin, the cold crystallization temperature (Tcc) and decomposition temperature (Td) of the produced bio composite films increased. It revealed that the addition of two types of chain extenders was efficient way to get PLA/PBAT film with improved strength and elongation.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.347-353
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• 2020

Stearic acid (SA), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and malic acid (MA) have been used to modify the surface of waste gypsum to develop corresponding poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) composites. According to the mechanical properties, MA-treated gypsum (MA-gypsum) showed the best performance, whereas SA-gypsum showed the worst performance. In contrast to SA and PEG (having -COOH and -OH as polar functional groups, respectively), the presence of both -OH and -COOH in MA is responsible for the superior surface treatment of gypsum and its better dispersion in the polymer matrix (as revealed by FE-SEM analyses). The presence of long aliphatic chain in SA is supposed to inhibit the dispersion of SA-gypsum. Further, the performance of MA-gypsum/PBAT was enhanced by adding polylactic acid (PLA). The maximum optimized contents of MA-gypsum and PLA are 20 and 7.5 wt% for developing a high-performance PBAT composite.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.1037-1043
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• 2015

Since single-use disposable plastic usage has steadily been increasing, recent trends in polymeric research point to increasing demand for eco-friend materials which reduce plastic waste. A huge amount of non-degradable polypropylene (PP)-based pots for seedling culture are discarded for transplantation. The purpose of this study is to investigate an eco-friendly biodegradable material as a possible substitute for PP pot. The blend of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) was used because of its good mechanical and flexible properties as well as biodegradation. After landfill, various properties of the blend pot were investigated by UTM, SEM, NMR and TGA. The results showed the tensile strength of the blend film rapidly decreased after 5 weeks of landfill due to degradation. From NMR data after landfill, the composition of PLA in the blend was decreased. These results indicate that the biodegradation of the blend preferentially occurs in PLA component. To investigate the effect of holes in pot bottom and side on root growth, a plant in the pot was grown. Some roots came out through holes as landfill period increases. These results indicate that the eco-friendly pot can be directly planted without the removal of pot.