Durable Polylactic Acid (PLA)-Based Sustainable Engineered Blends and Biocomposites: Recent Developments, Challenges, and Opportunities

The paper comprehensivelyreviews durable polylactic acid (PLA)-basedengineered blends and biocomposites supporting a low carbon economy.The traditional fossil fuel derived nonrenewable durable plasticsthat cannot be circumvented have spawned increased environmental concernsbecause of the continuous rise of their carbon footprint during processingand disposal. It is anticipated that the production of biodegradableand nonbiodegradable (durable) plastics from the year 2020 to 2025will rise & SIM;47% and & SIM;21%, respectively. The carbon footprintcan be reduced in durable (nonrenewable) plastics by decreasing orreplacing the fossil carbon content with renewablecarbon content. The replacement will enable us to attain asustainable environment, a low carbon footprint, energy security,and effective resource management. Thus, PLA-based durable productsneed to be developed with an enhanced service life that strikes abalance between environment-friendliness and product performance forengineering high-performance applications. The recent progress forenhancing the durability of PLA-based products consisting of hybridnonrenewable and renewable carbon has been attained by incorporatingsynthetic plastics, synthetic fibers (glass and carbon), natural fibers,and other biofillers (biocarbon). Further, the effects of additivessuch as initiators, nucleating agents, chain extenders, compatibilizers,impact modifiers, and toughening agents to prepare such blends andcomposites have been discussed. This Review further critically examinesthe advances centering on processability, heat resistance, flame retardancy,strength, and toughness. In addition to that, current and prospectiveapplications such as automotive, electronic, medical, textile, andhousing of PLA-based products are discussed. However, the challengesfor tailoring durable PLA-based products that still need to be addressed,such as improved processability, striking stiffness-toughnessbalance, enhanced heat resistance, and improved interfacial adhesionbetween the polymer-polymer, polymer-filler, and hybridpolymer-filler in respective polymer blends, composites, andhybrid composites, are summarized and analyzed in this Review. Hence,the opportunities for improvement to overcome the challenges lie ahead.

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This paper comprehensively reviews the development and application of durable polylactic acid (PLA)-based engineered blends and biocomposites, focusing on the challenges and opportunities for reducing carbon footprint, improving durability, and enhancing product performance.