• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.62-66
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• 2007

Four different biopolyester films, two aliphatic polyesters including polylactides (PLA) and poly(3-hydroxy-butyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV), and two aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters including Ecoplex and Biomax, were prepared using by thermo-compression, and their tensile and water barrier properties were determined. Among the films tested, PLA film was the most transparent (T: 95.8%), strongest, and stiffest (TS, 40.98 MPa; E, 1916 MPa), however it was rather brittle. In contrast, Ecoplex film was translucent while being the most flexible and resilient (EB, 766.8%). Biomax film was semitransparent and was the most brittle film tested (EB, 0.03%). All biopolyester films were water resistant exhibiting very low water solubility (WS) values ranging from 0.0.3 to 0.36%. PHBV film showed the lowest water vapor permeability (WVP) value ($1.26{\times}10^{-11}\;g{\cdot}m/m^2{\cdot}sec{\cdot}Pa$) followed by Biomax, PLA, and Ecoflex films, respectively. The water vapor barrier properties of each film were approximately 100 times higher than those of carbohydrate or protein-based films, but about 100 times lower than those of commodity polyolefin films such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or polypropylene (PP).

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.251-258
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• 2015

In the study, PLLA with 12,000 g/mol ($M_n$) and 14,000 g/mol ($M_w$) was synthesized from L-lactide, and used to synthesize PLLA-Br intermediate. PLLA-block-PMMA with 84,000 g/mol ($M_n$) and 126,000 g/mol ($M_w$) was finally synthesized from PLLA-Br intermediate. The glass transition temperature ($T_g$) and initial pyrolysis temperature of PLLA-block-PMMA are $95.5^{\circ}C$ and $289^{\circ}C$, respectively. The PLA film of $50{\pm}3{\mu}m$ thickness was prepared by blending PLA with 9 phr PLLA-block-PMMA followed by stretching biaxially at 3 times under $95^{\circ}C$, and annealing at $120^{\circ}C$ for 2 min. The light transmittance at 550 nm and tensile strength of the film are 88.5% and 44.5 MPa, respectively. To enhance the tensile strength of PLA film, it was required to keep the film more than 2 min at $120^{\circ}C$ during the annealing step after a biaxially orientation.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.611-616
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• 2011

In the study, annealing temperature was optimized by comparing with avrami crystallization rate and constant (k) using non-oriented PLA film as a base film. Crystallization rate constant of PLA film was 1.64, 1.68, and 1.26 at $120^{\circ}C$, $130^{\circ}C$, and $140^{\circ}C$, respectively. Annealing temperature was mainly affected on the surface properties such as rougnness (Ra) and kinetic friction coefficient (${\mu}_k$). Roughness of PLA film was 0.006 ${\mu}m$ at $80^{\circ}C$ and increased to 0.009 ${\mu}m$ 0.015 ${\mu}m$, 0.027 ${\mu}m$, and 0.029 ${\mu}m$ at $110^{\circ}C$, $120^{\circ}C$, $130^{\circ}C$ and $140^{\circ}C$, respectively. Kinetic friction coefficient decreased 0.45 to 0.43, 0.33, 0.31, 0.27 as annealing temperature was at $80^{\circ}C$, $110^{\circ}C$, $120^{\circ}C$, $130^{\circ}C$, and $140^{\circ}C$, respectivly. In addition, rate constant (k) was 0.58, 0.46, and 0.39 with adding 1 wt%, 3 wt%, and 5 wt% talc, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.95-101
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• 2012

To manufacture of a completely biodegradable and compostable biomass -based blend polymer film, two types of cellulose acetates(DS=2.4 and DS=2.7) were blended with 5 - 50 wt% of low average molecular weight polylactide(PLA) by mixing each polymer solution having same viscosity in 10 wt% methanol/dichloromethane. Their surface morphology, thermal and mechanical properties were studied. The chemical structures of blend films were confirmed by the fourier transform IR spectroscopy with attenuated total reflection(FT-IR ATR) spectrophotometer. Scanning electron microscope(SEM) photos of blend films of both CAs with less than 5 % of PLA showed homogeneous morphology. On the contrary, the other blends with higher than 20 wt% of PLA content showed a large phase separation with spherical domains. The thermal property of blend films was also analyzed with thermogravimetric analysis(TGA) and differential scanning calorimeter(DSC). The tensile strength of CA/PLA blend films was increased up to $820kg_f/cm^2$ for TAC/PLA and $600kg_f/cm^2$ for DAC/PLA.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.218-224
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• 2014

Biodegradable conductive composite films of polylactic acid(PLA) were prepared with various amounts of polyaniline(PAni) doped with dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid (DBSA) by solution blending technique to identify their mechanical and electric properties. 15 mol% of DBSA doped PAni was easily obtained by polymerizing of aniline in the presence of APS and DBSA in THF at $0^{\circ}C$. FE SEM characterization showed that PAni were well spread on the PLA domains. The tensile strength of composite film with 15 wt% of PAni was significantly decreased from $565.3kg_f/cm^2$ for PLA film itself to $309.7kg_f/cm^2$. Elongations of all PAni/PLA composite films were also decreased up to 3-6%. Electrical conductivity of $2.9{\times}10^{-3}$ S/cm could be achieved for the composite film containing 15 wt% of PAni-DBSA. Thermal stability of these composite films measured by thermogravimetric analysis(TGA) showed a slight decrease with the amount of PAni in PAni/PLA composite films at temperature lower than $300^{\circ}C$. However, the final weight of char was strongly depended with the amount of PAni in original composite films. Conclusively, PAni/PLA composite films containing more than a 15 wt% of PAni could be used for intercepting electromagnetic and preventing electrostatic applications.

• 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.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2023

The study aimed to enhance the properties of polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable and biocompatible substitute for fossil-based plastics. Since the applicability of PLA has been limited because of its toughness and brittleness, microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) and propolis were introduced into PLA. As a result, the PLA film with MFC/propolis showed significant improvements in mechanical strength, elongation, and storage modulus, while also experiencing a decrease in the glass transition temperature. Additionally, the presence of polyphenols in propolis led to a reduction in light transmittance in the UV wavelength range. These enhancements are attributed to MFC tightly bonding with PLA polymers, and propolis acting as a plasticizer and mediator between MFC and PLA, preventing agglomeration. These reinforced PLA films have the potential to be used in flexible packaging for light-sensitive products.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.1-7
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• 2008

The effects of $TiO_2$ contents and UV irradiation treatment on the surface properties of PLA films embedded with $TiO_2$ nanoparticle were investigated. Whereas UV irradiation decreased reflectance of the treated PLA films proportionally with increasing UV energy, the reflectance of PLA/$TiO_2$ films increased with increasing UV energy. The UV irradiation treatment caused PLA/$TiO_2$ blend films more polar as indicated in the generation of new carbonyl group and decrease in zeta potentials, which was more pronounced with the introduction of $TiO_2$. Upon UV irradiation, $TiO_2$ particles appeared on the film surface as observed in SEM images. The PLA/$TiO_2$ blend films showed photocatalytic properties such as photobleaching of methylene blue, deodorization of ammonia and antimicrobial activity in comparison with pure PLA films.

• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.75-81
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• 2010

Characteristics of mixing biodegradable polymers and polymer impregnated paper for mulching mat for seedling were investigated. The mixed film of 70% PLA was most easily biodegradable. The surface of polymer films were changed to more rough due to enzymatic degradation of lipase. Tensile strength and breaking elongation of PLA mixed films were increased to the 0.04-0.31 kN/m and the 0.17-0.96%, respectively. With higher PLA contents, intensities of ester originated carboxyl group(about $1,748cm^{-1}$) were increased. Physical properties of prepared mulching mats were increased with PLA contents and stiffness of mulching mat was not so much changed.

• Composites Research
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.419-424
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• 2022

Using non-biodegradable polymers is a severe environmental problem as they are not recyclable and generate a large amount of waste. Biopolymers, such as starch-based composites, have been considered one of the most promising replacement materials. These eco-friendly materials have the advantage of being low-cost, biodegradable, and obtained from renewable sources. However, as starch tends to be brittle and hydrophilic, it can make these materials unusable when exposed to water and limit its processability for further applications. In this work, a biobased modified starch was grafted using two bioderived materials, lauryl methacrylate (LMA) and tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate (THFMA), by radical polymerization. A polylactic acid (PLA) composite based on the modified starch (m-St) was fabricated to enhance its toughness. These samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR analysis, optical and scanning electron microscopy. The starch was successfully grafted, thus improving the compatibility with the PLA matrix. The mechanical properties of these films were also studied. Results from mechanical tests showed a slight enhancement of the mechanical performance of these composites when m-St was added to the PLA matrix. Such behavior is related to the improved dispersion of m-St 1:2 on PLA, confirmed by SEM images showing enhanced compatibility between modified starch and PLA matrix. This indicated excellent properties of the produced composite film for further eco-friendly applications.