Poly (d lactic acid) film with antifungal properties for agro-industrial applications

• Grant number: 18/06732-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2018
• End date: May 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Rondes Ferreira da Silva Torin
• Grantee: Rafaela Reis Ferreira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Tecnologia de Mauá (FATEC Mauá). Centro Paula Souza (CEETEPS). Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). Mauá , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In agro-industry a technique known as "mulching" is used, consisting of the ground cover made by plastic films promoting the healthiest development of the plantations, together with pesticides. However, when removing the plastic film from the soil, there remains a waste of plastic contaminants, making it a disadvantage that could be circumvented by the use of biodegradable plastic films. The objective of this work is to obtain a film of the same function, with biodegradable and antifungal characteristics. For this purpose, Poly (lactic acid) (PLA), a polymer recognized for its biodegradability, will be used with the addition of a hybrid formed by nanoargila (Montmorillonite Closite 20A) with citronella essential oil (antifungal additive), which will be incorporated in different quantities from 3 to 20% depending on the mass of the PLA. The samples will be processed in torque Rheometer at 185 ° C. Subsequently the samples will be submitted to analysis of Scan Differential Calorimetry, Thermogravimetric, X-Ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Mechanical Properties, Migration and Microbiological Analysis with the purpose of evaluating antifungal behavior.