Pasuta Sungsee and Varaporn Tanrattanakul

DOI: 10.14456/sjst-psu.2020.156

pp. 1207 - 1214

Abstract

The present study evaluated the feasibility of using a conventionally prepared poly(lactic acid) (PLA) foam. A PLA
foam was successfully prepared by compression molding. Azodicarbonamide was used as a chemical blowing agent. Chitosan
was added as a bioactive material and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was added as a plasticizer for PLA. Chitosan promoted the
plasticization effect of PEG. The combination of chitosan and PEG contributed the lowest T_g and T_cc of PLA. The plasticized
PLA showed greater impact strength than PLA. All foams showed closed-cell morphologies with relatively large pores. Chitosan
and PEG reduced pore size and the reduction in pore size was greater when both additives were combined. Cytotoxicity was
determined from MG-63 cell proliferation on samples, and all foams showed non-cytotoxicity. The addition of chitosan and/or
PEG decreased weight loss of PLA in in-vitro degradation tests. This work was preliminary work and more studies need to be
done.