Recycling PLA to multifunctional oligomeric compatibilizers for PLA/starch composites

• PLA was subjected to thermal degradative conditions in the presence of polyols.
• Polyols accelerated the degradation rate and formed PLA oligomers with polyol end-groups.
• The formed oligomers were effective compatibilizers for PLA/starch composites.
• Green one-pot valorization of PLA to biobased additives was demonstrated.

Simple one-pot valorization of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) to green additives was demonstrated. PLA was thermally recycled in the presence of polyols, which accelerated the degradation process by reacting with PLA chains. As a result low molecular weight oligomers with polyols end-groups were formed. The reaction between PLA and multifunctional alcohols i.e. glycerol, sorbitol, glucose and starch were confirmed by FTIR, 1H NMR, SEC and MALDI-MS. The resulting amphiphilic products were evaluated as compatibilizer candidates for PLA/starch blends. Multiple techniques demonstrated that the obtained oligomers strengthened the interfacial adhesion and improved the compatibility and flexibility of extruded and melt-blended PLA/starch composites. The developed one-pot procedure required no solvent or catalyst offering good possibilities for up-scaling. It was, thus, demonstrated that PLA can be recycled to low molecular weight compatibilizers by simple process of thermal heating in the presence of polyols. This provides profound promise for retaining the material value of old PLA products at the same time as biobased additives are produced.

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