Analysis of the Decomposition using the Short Degradation Technique of Polylactic Acid/Halloysite Nanotube Biocomposites

Abstract

The article presents results on the decomposition of polylactic acid (PLA)/halloysite nanotube (HNT) biocomposites. Experiments were carried out in laboratory conditions simulating composting in the industrial pile using the so-called short degradation method. In this paper, the effects of the composting process (duration from 30 to 90 days) on the behavior of PLA/HNT composites were studied. In addition, the selected physicochemical properties of PLA/HNTs biocomposites such as the average molecular weight were investigated. The results obtained confirmed the viability of composting PLA with halloysite which contributes to the reduction of plastic waste and the use of this material in technological applications.