Ethylene brassylate as a biobased plasticizer for poly(lactic acid): Evaluation of mechanical, thermal, and biodegradation properties
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a bio-based polymer with high potential; however, its inherent brittleness restricts its practical applications. This work evaluates ethylene brassylate (EB), a macrocyclic diester of natural origin, as a plasticizer for PLA at 5–20 wt%. Thermal analysis confirmed a plasticizing effect, with the glass transition temperature decreasing from 59.9 °C in neat PLA to 38.0 °C in PLA-20 EB. Mechanical tests showed that 20 wt% EB increased elongation at break from 10 % (neat PLA) to over 460 % and improved impact resistance by ~70 %. Furthermore, moisture resistance was preserved, and microscopy confirmed good miscibility with no phase separation. Under composting, degradation occurs more rapidly in proportion to EB content, reaching ~90 % mass loss after four weeks. Migration tests revealed values below 40 mg kg −1 for PLA-EB < 10 wt% EB, whereas PLA-15 EB reached the regulatory limit. EB is therefore an efficient bio-based plasticizer for PLA, offering enhanced ductility, toughness, and biodegradation, with promising applications in sustainable packaging, especially for refrigerated and cold-chain storage.
Language: English
Subfield: Biomaterials
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,390
Awards: G1422035950, G1752620194, G2262748287, G2867640486, G2953417368, G305249767, G3091900082, G3220251042, G3480869486, G3589166965, G3681454997, G4042783231, G425668148, G4442677895, G4458117819, G4494800706, G4526231891, G464105488, G49178695, G5338730000, G6218905885, G6304381720, G7084143925
OpenAlex ID: W4415812318