Advanced Materials · 2000 · 2.6K citations · 74 references
Natural SciencesMaterials EngineeringMaterials SciencePolymer ChemistryPolymer EngineeringPolymer MaterialsBio-based MaterialsBiodegradable PackagingBiodegradable PolymersBiodegradationGreen Polymer ChemistryPlastic PackagingPhysical PropertiesPoly(lactic Acid)PolyhydroxyalkanoatesPolylactic Acid DegradationPolylactic Acid MaterialsPolylactic Acid PackagingPolylactic Acid ProductionSustainable Plastics
Polylactic acid is proving to be a viable alternative to petrochemical-based plastics for many applications. It is produced from renewable resources and is biodegradable, decomposing to give H2O, CO2, and humus, the black material in soil. In addition, it has unique physical properties that make it useful in diverse applications including paper coating, fibers, films, and packaging (see Figure).
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Hydrolytic degradation of devices based on poly(dl-lactic acid) size-dependence
Ilaria Grizzi, Henri Garreau, Suming Li et al. · Biomaterials · 1995 · 860 citations
Natural Sciences, Materials Engineering, Materials Science +14
Nicolas Spassky, Muriel Wisniewski, Christian Pluta et al. · Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics · 1996 · 627 citations