Due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there is a high demand for face masks that have been found to be harmful to the environment. Commercially available face masks are made of polypropylene (PP), which is a non-biodegradable plastic that contributes to microplastic pollution. Bioplastics such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), and polybutylene succinate (PBS) have been proposed as more environmentally friendly alternatives due to their biodegradability and sustainability. The aim of this study is to develop a biodegradable plastic layer using electrospinning from a blend of PLA and poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). Different ratios of PLA and PBAT were studied, including 100/0, 70/30, 50/50, 30/70, and 0/100. The morphology, diameter, and tensile properties of the PLA/PBAT blend were investigated. The results showed that the PLA/PBAT blend produced fibres with smaller diameters than those of commercially available face masks, and increasing the amount of PBAT resulted in smaller diameter fibres. However, the tensile strength of the PLA/PBAT blend was lower than that of PP-based commercial face masks. Specifically, the tensile strength of PLA/PBAT 70/30, 50/50, and 30/70 fibre layers was reduced by 63.7%, 82.8%, and 82.8%, respectively, compared to the commercial PP layer.

错误:搜索内容不能为空,请输入英文关键词
错误:关键词超出字数限制,请精简
高级检索

Comparison of PLA/PBAT Electrospun Layer and Commercial PP Facemask Layer: Morphology, Diameter and Tensile Strength

  • N. Ain Syakirah,
  • D. Fadilah,
  • N. Teramoto,
  • C. Liza,
  • M. Mariatti

摘要

Due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there is a high demand for face masks that have been found to be harmful to the environment. Commercially available face masks are made of polypropylene (PP), which is a non-biodegradable plastic that contributes to microplastic pollution. Bioplastics such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), and polybutylene succinate (PBS) have been proposed as more environmentally friendly alternatives due to their biodegradability and sustainability. The aim of this study is to develop a biodegradable plastic layer using electrospinning from a blend of PLA and poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). Different ratios of PLA and PBAT were studied, including 100/0, 70/30, 50/50, 30/70, and 0/100. The morphology, diameter, and tensile properties of the PLA/PBAT blend were investigated. The results showed that the PLA/PBAT blend produced fibres with smaller diameters than those of commercially available face masks, and increasing the amount of PBAT resulted in smaller diameter fibres. However, the tensile strength of the PLA/PBAT blend was lower than that of PP-based commercial face masks. Specifically, the tensile strength of PLA/PBAT 70/30, 50/50, and 30/70 fibre layers was reduced by 63.7%, 82.8%, and 82.8%, respectively, compared to the commercial PP layer.