Mechanical behavior of UV/O3 treated tapioca-reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) biocomposites

Compatibility issues pose significant challenges in producing composites of two different chemical natures. Traditional methods, such as acid and alkali treatments for surface modifications in materials are commonly used to address the issue but face challenges in terms of environmental impact and effectiveness. Therefore, this research focuses on exploring the mechanical behaviour of pure Polylactic Acid (PLA), a widely used biodegradable plastic, PLA/Tapioca Starch (PLA/TS) blends, and UV-treated (PLA/TS-UVO) composites, all mixed in a 70:30 ratio. FTIR analysis reveals alterations in various chemical groups, indicating UV-induced oxidation and rearrangement. The UV-treated PLA/Tapioca starch blends (PLA/TS_UVO) demonstrate impressive tensile strength with an increase of 45.4% compared to untreated PLA/TS. These findings initiate the UV-treated blends as promising options for good compatibility between the hydrophilic tapioca and hydrophobic PLA, making them a potential future in sustainable green applications.