The prevalent presence of microplastics in marine environments poses major ecological risks requiring innovative approaches to their management and reduction. This study addresses a knowledge gap in biodegradable microplastic alternatives by looking at the biodegradability and properties of reclaimed microplastic polypropylene (PP) blended with polylactic acid (PLA). The study lies in the systematic exploration of various PP/PLA formulations, evaluating their potential for enhanced biodegradability without significantly compromising mechanical performance. Microplastic PP and PLA blends were prepared in various ratios using the melt blending method. The blend was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to confirm the presence and morphology of the components. The mechanical properties were evaluated using tensile strength tests. A blend of 90% PP and 10% PLA was found to retain the highest tensile strength even after immersion in seawater. The thermal stability and degradation behavior were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). This shows that increasing PLA content affects the thermal properties of the blends. Seawater immersion and soil burial tests were used to assess the biodegradability of the blends. The results showed that the blends' biodegradation was confirmed by increases in conductivity and salinity in the seawater and weight loss in the soil burial. The major findings show that blending PP and PLA improves biodegradability while maintaining adequate mechanical properties. Tests including immersion in saltwater and soil burial were used to assess the biodegradability of the blends. The results showed that the blends' biodegradation was confirmed by increases in conductivity and salinity in the seawater and weight loss in the soil burial. The major findings show that blending PP and PLA improves biodegradability while maintaining adequate mechanical properties. Finally, this study presents a new approach to reducing microplastic pollution through the blend of reclaimed PP with biodegradable PLA, resulting in a sustainable material with improved environmental performance. Future studies should look into new formulations, biodegradable polymers, and long-term degradation tests under a variety of environmental circumstances.

Cellulose crystallinity can be altered by various treatment methods, including mechanical or chemical treatments, which can affect the properties of thermoplastic composites. In this study, the crystallinity of cellulose was manipulated using mechanical ball milling. The primary objective was to assess the impact of altering the cellulose crystallinity on the overall performance of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)-based composites. The mechanical and structural properties of the composites were assessed using tensile and impact tests, attenuated total reflectance infrared ( ATR-IR ) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The degradation properties of the HDPE composites were evaluated using a soil-burial degradation test. The impact of cellulose crystallinity on the mechanical properties of HDPE composites showed a marginal enhancement of 5% in tensile strength with the incorporation of 2% low-crystallinity cellulose (LCC). The highest impact strength of the HDPE composites was attained by the incorporation of 6% LCC. ATR-IR analysis showed that the peak intensity of the HDPE-LCC composite decreased, whereas the HDPE composite with high-crystallinity cellulose (HCC) did not exhibit changes in peak intensity compared to the HDPE spectrum. SEM examination showed that LCC possessed superior dispersion in the HDPE matrix compared to that of HCC. Thermal degradation decreased by up to 32% with the addition of HCC and LCC. A soil burial degradation study showed that the mechanical properties of the HDPE-LCC composite deteriorated more than those of the HDPE-HCC composite after 24 months. This study concluded that altering the crystallinity of cellulose can lead to composites with tailored properties.

This study investigates the incorporation of thermoplastic starch (TPS) into polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) to create biodegradable plastic wraps for pathological waste burial in soil. TPS is added to PBAT to enhance biodegradability, as PBAT alone degrades slowly. The research examines the mechanical properties, biodegradation, morphology, and swelling behaviour of the blends. Key tests include xenon arc light exposure for accelerated aging, a formalin swelling test for permeability, and soil degradation analysis for weight loss. Results show that adding TPS significantly reduces tensile strength (65.53%) and elongation at break (93.35%), but the material still effectively serves its purpose as a wrapping for pathological waste. Morphological analysis reveals phase separation, and UV exposure further decreases tensile strength by 27.6%. The highest TPS composition (30TPS/70PBAT) shows the fastest mechanical degradation, indicating accelerated biodegradation. Despite minimal formalin absorption (16% within 1 day), the blends prevent formalin leaching, making them suitable for pathological waste containment.

The interest in natural fibres in non - textile applications has increased as a result of the search for new renewable materials. Especially attractive for environmental safety demands are biodegradable and renewable fibres such as lignocellulose fibres and biopolymers such as PLA. The analysis of their biodegradation is often taken as a standard measure for environmentally friendly textile materials. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to investigate the biodegradation properties of Jute and PLA fibres by soil burial test. The fibres were exposed to the farmland soil for 11 days. The efficiency of the biodegradability was determined by comparison of mass loss, mechanical properties (finesses and tenacity) and morphological analysis by SEM microscope. With the purpose of a better understanding of biodegradation, the number of total fungi and bacteria in the soil is also determined.

Developing bio-blends and biocomposites has become a widespread strategy to combat plastic pollution in line with sustainability principles and decarbonization necessities. Although chemically modified ternary and quaternary biocomposites are developing rapidly because of their broader processing and performance windows than single matrix and binary counterparts, a few have been reported about their biodegradation. Herein, diisocyanates-based chemically modified ternary biocomposites based on poly(butylene adipate-co-tere- phthalate), thermoplastic starch (TPS), poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL), and cellulose (Mater-Bi/PCL/cellulose) are prepared and undergone soil burial biodegradation providing a broader perspective on biodegradation of complicated systems. The mass gain of sunflower sprouts, weight retention, and the appearance of biocomposites are studied and discussed in the course of biodegradation. The unfilled Mater-Bi/PCL bio-blends presented moderate mass loss over 12 weeks, attributed to the presence of TPS in the Mater-Bi phase. The PCL addition hindered TPS decomposition and featured a noticeably lower degradation rate compared to previous reports. A significant increase in the b* parameter (position on the blue-yellow axis in the CIELAB color space), along with the yellowness and whiteness indices, was observed. Prior to soil burial, roughness differences were negligible. Still, they significantly increased over time due to the higher hydrophilicity of unfilled Mater-Bi/PCL and biocomposite containing unmodified filler.

Conventional plastics derived from petroleum resources have dominated the packaging sector. However, the use of such plastics has resulted in environmental issues. Research on development of biodegradable plastics has gained momentum. In the present work, eco-sustainable poly (butylene adipate terephthalate) (PBAT)/poly lactic acid (PLA) blend films have been developed with beeswax as an additive. Films have been made by blending biopolymers PBAT with PLA. Beeswax, as an additive has the ability to enhance the water vapour and oxygen barrier properties films. Beeswax content has been varied in the films (0, 0.5, 1 and 2 wt.%). The prepared films have been characterized for their mechanical (tensile testing), water absorption, morphological and biodegradation behavior. Maximum tensile strength has been observed for film containing 1 wt.% of beeswax. Water absorption of the films has been lowered by addition of beeswax. Based on the obtained results, 1 wt.% of beeswax addition has been found to be suitable for PBAT/PLA blend films.

The extensive use of non-biodegradable and petroleum derived polymers in industry exacerbates environmental problems associated with plastic waste accumulation and fossil resource depletion. The most promising solution to overcome this issue is the replacement of these polymers with biodegradable and bio-based polymers. In this paper, novel biocomposites were prepared from bio-based polyamide 5.6 (PA56) with the addition of olive stone powder (OSP) at varying weight concentrations by melt compounding method. The degradability of the prepared biocomposites is investigated through soil burial test, and assessed by reduction in their mechanical properties. The biodegradability of bio-based polyamide 5.6 is shown to be improved by addition of olive stone powder, and its effects on the properties of polymer matrix are elucidated. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum of the biocomposites indicate the successful incorporation of OSP into PA56 polymer matrix. After six-month soil burial test, scanning electron microscopy and FTIR show the degradation of PA56 through morphological and structural changes, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry reveals the changes in the transition temperatures of the polymer matrix and an increase in crystallinity. Thermogravimetric analysis is used on the biocomposite to determine the fraction of its components, polymer and biofiller, and the results show that 2.67% (w/w) of the polyamide 5.6 is biodegraded at the end of the six-month soil burial.

The combination of the best properties of Polycarbonate (PC) and Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) has resulted in the development of commercially available PC/ABS blends that have been found to be useful in many molding applications. PC has excellent mechanical and optical properties, but predominant use of bisphenol A in PC synthesis raises concerns regarding its potential environmental harm. In this study, we have studied the alternative for the PC/ABS blend by replacing PC with the bio-based PC and ABS with the Acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate (ASA). A blend of bio-based PC and ASA was prepared by the melt blending techniques and investigated mechanical, thermal, and degradation (hydrolytic and soil burial degradation) properties.