Enhanced durability of sustainable poly (lactic acid)-based composites with renewable starch and wood flour

This study aims to access the durability of sustainable poly (lactic acid) (PLA) composites with the presence of starch and wood flour by using artificial weathering method. Chain scissions such as photolysis and hydrolysis resulted in significant decrease in molecular weight. After artificial weathering, thermal stability decreased for all materials, but very slightly for WF/PLA composite. Both the changes of molecular weight and thermal stability revealed that the weathering rate followed the order: PIA > starch/PIA> WF/PLA, indicating that starch and wood flour improved the durability of PIA. Tensile test suggested that the PIA composites introduced in starch and WF had a better environmental survivability. At last, mathematical models were established to evaluate the decrease in tensile strength with weathering. The obtained results offer an opportunity to estimate the material's durability, and provide an idea to design sustainable PLA-based materials with enhanced durability for outdoor application. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.