Biodegradation of polylactide-based composites with an addition of a compatibilizing agent in different environments

Presented work describes the influence of a compatibilizing agent on the degradation process of polylactide-based composites in different environments. Biodegradation of composites, containing polymer matrix in form of polylactide (PLA), nanofillers montmorillonite and Nanofil2 and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) acting as a compatibilizing agent, was carried out for 28 days in lake water, soil and compost. OXI TOP Control analysis as well as the test for the activity of hydrolytic enzymes were performed and revealed that the presence of PCL significantly increases activity of hydrolytic enzymes and oxygen consumption during biodegradation of the studied materials in the above mentioned environments. The influence the PCL has got on the decomposition process was studied during the analysis of thermal properties of the degraded films as well as by means of a scanning electron microscopy, atomic force and epifluorescence microscopy. In summary, the compatibilizing agent accelerates the degradation of polylactide-based composites in all of the examined scenarios. Results of studies constitute a valuable source of knowledge on effective biodegradation process of polylactide-based composites containing a compatibilizing agent as well as the influence of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) on the decomposition progress of the studied materials.