ABSTRACT Bio‐degradable plastics have gained significant attention due to their biodegradability and environmental friendliness. However, how to improve the degradation rate of PBAT/PLA composites in aqueous environments is still a challenge. In this study, a green processing technology was proposed to achieve the rapid degradation of PBAT/PLA. By using lignin as an intermediate medium and adopting a continuous batch feeding strategy, the compatibility and biodegradability of PBAT/PLA composite materials are simultaneously improved in the absence of compatibilizers. The resulting PBAT/PLA/lignin films demonstrate excellent mechanical, water barrier, and degradation properties. The elastic modulus ( E ), tensile strength ( σ b ) and elongation at break ( ε b ) of PBAT/PLA/2%lignin are 124.2 MPa, 45.5 MPa, and 737%, respectively. The weight loss rate of the PBAT/PLA/10%lignin film after hydrolysis for 60 h was 30.0 wt%, which was 316% higher than that of the PBAT/PLA film. This sustainable and green processing strategy promotes the application of lignin in the field of composite materials, while solving the problems of poor mechanical properties and slow hydrolysis rate of PBAT/PLA composite materials.
Li et al. (Tue,) studied this question.