Influence of the homehold composting conditions on the structural changes of polylactide spun-bonded nonwovens during degradation

Abstract

In this study, the influence of homehold composting conditions on the molecular and supramolecular structure of polylactide (PLA) in the form of spun-bonded nonwovens was investigated. Nonwoven samples were studied using size-exclusion chromatography coupled with multiangle laser light scattering detection, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In addition, the physical and mechanical properties of the nonwovens before and after composting were determined. The results show the varying degree of influence of the prepared compost mixtures of soil with common horticultural additives, such as chalk, commercially available agents, cow manure and chicken litter, on the molecular and supramolecular structure of PLA and its degradation rate. The obtained experiment explained which popular homehold agent had the strongest affect on the PLA nonwoven dedicated for agriculture use in the first period of season composting (first 6 months).