Evaluation of PLA–lignin bioplastics properties before and after accelerated weathering

Two types of lignin obtained from softwood (LB) and hardwood (LO) were employed for manufacturing polylactic acid (PLA) – based composites. The morphological changes, mechanical and thermal properties, as well as water uptake of composites were evaluated before and after accelerated weathering. The chemical structure of lignin has an important influence on the composite properties. The addition of lignins to PLA matrix determined an increase of the impact strength and thermal stability of PLA, a good adhesion being observed in SEM micrographs. After accelerated weathering, tensile and impact strength decreased for all samples, but slightly for PLA/lignin composites, while all composites recorded an increase of water sorption capacity, especially for PLA/LB material. The free surface energy increased after weathering for all materials. The obtained results offer an opportunity to design environmentally friendly materials containing lignin that present higher values than the raw material itself.