Polylactides barrier

Polylactide plasticized with acetyltributyl citrate has been investigated as a biodegradable barrier for use in guided-tissue regeneration therapy. ... 

Polylactides (PLA) may have many potential applications for an important set of products but some of their properties should be improved to obtain similar performance to petroleum-based commodities. One of the most important current applications of PLA is food packaging, in particular for short-shelf-life products with common applications such as rigid containers, drinking cups, over-wrap and lamination films. PLA production and consumption are expected to increase therefore research into the variation of PLA mechanical and barrier properties is currently very active. The control of barrier properties in PLA films is possible by modification of the polymer network through the formation of intramolecular and inter-molecular covalent crosslinking, for example by applying thermal treatment, or by modifying the chemical composition. Another method is to incorporate fillers, in particular layered nanoclays, and this will be the subject of this chapter. 

N. Whiteman, P. DeLassus and J. Gunderson, New Flavor and Aroma Barrier Thermoplastic, Polylactide, Polyolefins 2002, International Conference on Polyolefins, Houston, TX, USA, 2(X)2. 

G. Colomines, S. Domenek, V. Ducruet, A. Guinault, Influences of the crystallisation rate on thermal and barrier properties of polylactide acid (PLA) food packaging films, Int. J. Mater. Form. 2008, i(l), 607-610. 

Nowadays, certain blend of polylactide and polycaprolactone are extensively used for packaging of vegetable oils. These blend exhibit comparable tensile strength, brittleness, and rigidity as packaging material derived from polypropylene or polyethylene derivative. The PLA and PCL shows improved barrier properties and prevents aroma losses but only limitation of using this blend as packaging material is its inefficient gas permeability. 

There are several promising markets for biodegradable polymers such as polylactide. Plastic bags for household bio waste, barriers for sanitary products and nappies (diapers), planting cups, disposable cups and plates are some typical applications. To date no commercial large-scale production of polylactide exists, but this is likely to change in the near future. 

Yourdkhani M, Mousavand T, Chapleau N, Hubert P. Thermal, oxygen barrier and mechanical properties of polylactide-organoclay nanocomposites. Compos Sci Technol 2013 82 47-53. 

Martinez-Sanz M, Lopez-Rubio A, Lagaron JM (2012) Optimization of the dispta ion of unmodified bacterial cellulose nanowhiskers into polylactide via melt compounding to significantly enhance barrier and mechanical properties. Biomacromolecules 13(11) 3887—... 

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