Effect of glycerol introduced into PLA based composites on the UV weathering behavior

- The crystal structure of starch/wood flour/PLA composite was damaged after UV weathering.
- Carboxylic acid was formed on the surface of composite when underwent UV weathering.
- Glycerol had a stabilize effect on the UV durability of the composite.

Effect of accelerated weathering time and glycerol on the photodegradation behavior of starch/wood flour/PLA composites was studied. The decreased intensity of diffraction peaks characterized by XRD indicated that the crystal structure was damaged. The chemical structure changes characterized by FTIR showed the formation of carboxylic acid. The decreased extent of the CO absorbance intensity of the composite with 15% glycerol proved that glycerol had a stabilize effect on the UV durability of the composites. After weathering, the maximum decomposition temperature decreased prominently due to the chain cleavage. With the prolonged weathering time, the tensile and flexural strengths decreased gradually.

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