In the present study commercial Polylactic Acid-based disposable cups and plates were selected for lab scale anaerobic degradability tests. The experiments were carried out under thermophilic conditions at different inoculum to substrate ratios and test material sizes, and the specific biogas production and associated kinetics were evaluated. Maximum biogas production was comparable for almost all the experimental runs (1620 and 1830 NmL/gTOCPLA) and a biodegradation degree in the range 86-100% was attained. Moreover, physical, chemical and microscopical analyses were used to characterize the tested materials before and after the degradation. The products composition was assessed and the presence of some additives (mainly Ca-based) was detected. Potential correlations among the process parameters and product composition were derived and a delay in process kinetics with increasing amount of additives embedded in the polymeric matrix was observed, confirming the relevant influence of the chemical blend on the biodegradation process.

Anaerobic biodegradation of disposable PLA-based products: Assessing the correlation with physical, chemical and microstructural properties

De Gioannis, Giorgia;Muntoni, Aldo;Polettini, Alessandra;Pomi, Raffaella;
2023-01-01

Abstract

In the present study commercial Polylactic Acid-based disposable cups and plates were selected for lab scale anaerobic degradability tests. The experiments were carried out under thermophilic conditions at different inoculum to substrate ratios and test material sizes, and the specific biogas production and associated kinetics were evaluated. Maximum biogas production was comparable for almost all the experimental runs (1620 and 1830 NmL/gTOCPLA) and a biodegradation degree in the range 86-100% was attained. Moreover, physical, chemical and microscopical analyses were used to characterize the tested materials before and after the degradation. The products composition was assessed and the presence of some additives (mainly Ca-based) was detected. Potential correlations among the process parameters and product composition were derived and a delay in process kinetics with increasing amount of additives embedded in the polymeric matrix was observed, confirming the relevant influence of the chemical blend on the biodegradation process.
2023
Biodegradability
Bioplastic (PLA-based bioplastics)
Commercial polymeric blends
Polylactic acid
Thermophilic anaerobic digestion
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
2023 Bracciale et al Biodegradation PLA J Haz Mat.pdf

Solo gestori archivio

Tipologia: versione editoriale
Dimensione 5.85 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
5.85 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11584/358285
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 0
  • Scopus 9
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 7
social impact