The Sweet Solution: Enhancing the Biodegradable Plastics by Shaping Sugar Ring into Eco-friendly Plastics

This study aims to study the possibility of enhancing the mechanical properties and biodegradability of polylactic acid (PLA) using cyclodextrins (CD). Through melt-blending and solvent casting methods, PLA/CD composites with varying content of CD (0%, 1%, 3%, and 5%) were produced. Mechanical properties and biodegradation are assessed by precise instruments and compared with traditional PLA materials without CD. The research reveals that CD concentration not only enhances the mechanical properties of the samples but also maintains their biodegradability at a constant rate. The 3% CD composition shows an optimal balance of strength, ductility, and toughness. Further increasing the CD content to 5% leads to an even higher tensile strength of 56.4 MPa. It can be concluded from biodegradation studies that a relatively low amount of CD added into the composite makes it break down faster. It is notable that the samples all change a lot from what they initially appeared around day 30, indicating that their internal structure has undergone significant changes. Overall, CD content is crucial for the speeding up of breakdown especially in the initial stages. The result emphasizes the significant impact of CD incorporation on PLA properties. It presents key information for adjusting materials based on PLA to achieve desired mechanical characteristics and biodegradability, creating opportunities for innovative use in both daily life and industry.