Tunable, UV-shielding and biodegradable composites based on well-characterized lignins and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)

Biodegradable materials are increasingly imperative in modern society owing to their eco-friendly character, but their high cost and limited properties restrict their applications. In this study, lignin-based (30–50 wt%) biodegradable composites with superior performances were successfully prepared by incorporating lignin into the poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) matrix. In order to improve the compatibility, lignin was efficiently modified by a green esterification reaction under microwave-assisted solvent-free conditions. Comprehensive characterization revealed that modified lignin had fewer inter-unit linkages, increased molecular weights, lower Tg and enhanced hydrophobicity. Moreover, the prepared modified lignin/PBAT composites reinforced with maleic anhydride (MAH) exhibited controllable improvements in mechanical properties and exhibited excellent UV-shielding properties, and their elongation at break, even with 40 wt% lignin, increased by 500% compared to that of unmodified counterparts. The ideal dispersion and compatibility of the modified lignin in the matrix facilitated the mechanical properties of composites, as revealed by morphological and thermal analysis. Importantly, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation unprecedentedly confirmed that the modification of lignin distinctly strengthened molecular interaction and compatibility of the matrices, enhancing the mechanical performance of the composites. This work presents a green and feasible route to produce cost-efficient biodegradable materials with controlled mechanical and UV-shielding properties for packaging application.