Enhanced hydrolysis resistance of biodegradable polymers and bio-composites

This study investigated the hydrolysis of biodegradable polymers and bio-composites at 50 °C and 90% relative humidity (RH). With increasing hydrolysis time, the mechanical properties of the biodegradable polymers and bio-composites significantly decreased due to the easy hydrolytic degradation of the ester linkage of the biodegradable polymers. With increasing hydrolysis time, the tensile strength of the polybutylene succinate (PBS) treated with anti-hydrolysis agent or with trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) significantly increased compared to the non-treated PBS. The same results were observed for the PBS-based bio-composites. This result was confirmed by the Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra, which exhibited a less eroded surface, small cracks and fewer holes due to the reduced surface hydrolysis and erosion under high humidity condition.