Work

Development of poly(lactic acid) biocomposites from wood waste: Combining lignocellulosic fillers and aromatic polycarbodiimide for processing and weathering stability

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Lignocellulosic materials extracted from wood waste can be valorised for the development of sustainable polymer biocomposites. Accordingly, in the current study, lignin and lignocellulosic nanofibres derived from construction and demolition wood waste were incorporated into poly(lactic acid) (PLA) to develop biocomposite compounds. Formulations including PLA as polymeric matrix with lignin or lignocellulosic nanofibres at 5 % wt. were prepared via twin-screw extrusion and afterwards characterised in terms of rheological behaviour, viscosity, and mechanical properties. To enhance processing stability and durability, aromatic polycarbodiimide (1 % wt.) was incorporated as anti-hydrolysis agent. It effectively restricted PLA chain scission promoted by lignocellulosic fillers during melt compounding, and enhanced molecular stability, as confirmed by molecular weight values and rheological behaviour. Under accelerated weathering conditions, PLA formulations containing both lignocellulosic biomass and polycarbodiimide demonstrated the highest degree of stabilisation, maintaining after 1000 h of exposure over 80 % of their initial molecular weight and tensile strength. By comparison, formulations containing only a single additive or filler dropped below this retention threshold at earlier weathering times. Mechanistic insights into the complementary roles of lignocellulosic biomass and aromatic polycarbodiimide structure for PLA matrices are herein discussed, paving the way for the development of biocomposites with improved durability, suitable for non-structural construction applications.

Source: Polymer Degradation and Stability

DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2026.112388