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<p>Growing concerns over plastic waste have intensified interest in biodegradable polymers and focusing on converting agricultural waste into useful materials. In this context, the biodegradation behavior of recycled poly(lactic acid) (PLAR) and its composite reinforced with 30 wt% spent coffee grounds (PLAR/SCG) after 90 days of exposure to the fungus <i>Trichoderma lentiforme</i> was investigated. Materials were characterized through thermal, physical, mechanical, and morphological analyses before and after fungal exposure. Thermal analysis revealed a slight increase of 2% in the degree of crystallinity for PLAR/SCG, suggesting partial hydrolytic degradation. FTIR analysis showed an increase in the carbonyl index, particularly in the composite, indicating oxidative degradation and polymer chain scission. Mechanical testing demonstrated a significant reduction in tensile strength (73%) and elastic modulus (53%) for PLAR/SCG, along with increased ductility (28%). Morphological evaluation revealed surface deterioration in the composite feature, including particle pull-out, microcracks, and an irregular fractured surface, whereas the polymer matrix exhibited a more homogeneous and brittle fracture. These findings were consistent with visual inspection, which showed macroscopic cracks on the exposed surface of the composite. Overall, the study highlights that the incorporation of spent coffee grounds into recycled PLA promotes fungal activity and accelerates the onset of biodegradation, supporting their potential for developing more sustainable and environmentally responsive polymeric materials.</p>

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Impact of fungal biodegradation on the properties of recycled poly(lactic acid) composite filled with spent coffee grounds

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月10日

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  • Anne Shayene Campos de Bomfim,
  • Lady Daiane Pereira Leite,
  • Antonio Carlos Varela Saraiva,
  • Daniel Magalhães de Oliveira,
  • Maria Odila Hilário Cioffi,
  • Cristiane Yumi Koga Ito,
  • Kelly Cristina Coelho Carvalho Benini,
  • Herman Jacobus Cornelis Voorwald

摘要

Growing concerns over plastic waste have intensified interest in biodegradable polymers and focusing on converting agricultural waste into useful materials. In this context, the biodegradation behavior of recycled poly(lactic acid) (PLAR) and its composite reinforced with 30 wt% spent coffee grounds (PLAR/SCG) after 90 days of exposure to the fungus Trichoderma lentiforme was investigated. Materials were characterized through thermal, physical, mechanical, and morphological analyses before and after fungal exposure. Thermal analysis revealed a slight increase of 2% in the degree of crystallinity for PLAR/SCG, suggesting partial hydrolytic degradation. FTIR analysis showed an increase in the carbonyl index, particularly in the composite, indicating oxidative degradation and polymer chain scission. Mechanical testing demonstrated a significant reduction in tensile strength (73%) and elastic modulus (53%) for PLAR/SCG, along with increased ductility (28%). Morphological evaluation revealed surface deterioration in the composite feature, including particle pull-out, microcracks, and an irregular fractured surface, whereas the polymer matrix exhibited a more homogeneous and brittle fracture. These findings were consistent with visual inspection, which showed macroscopic cracks on the exposed surface of the composite. Overall, the study highlights that the incorporation of spent coffee grounds into recycled PLA promotes fungal activity and accelerates the onset of biodegradation, supporting their potential for developing more sustainable and environmentally responsive polymeric materials.