Durable Polylactic Acid (PLA)-Based Sustainable Blends and Naringin: Recent Developments, Challenges, and their Properies and Applications

Photostabilizing polymeric materials is vital in safeguarding against aging and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Consequently, the modification of polymers to enhance their resilience to photodegradation and photooxidation during prolonged exposure to UV light in challenging settings becomes imperative. Notably, recent advancements have led to the design and synthesis of various polymeric additives, with their potential utility as photostabilizers being extensively investigated. In this context, thin films of Polylactic acid (PLA) were developed, incorporating diverse concentrations of naringin alongside the commercial stabilizer TINUVIN 622. The study focused on assessing the role of naringin and TINUVIN 622 as effective UV blockers against PLA photodegradation. Detailed examination encompassing weight loss analysis, surface morphology observations, determination of the photodecomposition rate constant Kd, and analysis of changes in infrared spectra of irradiated polymeric blends, revealed the efficacy of 0.075% naringin concentration in significantly mitigating UV-induced degradation, thereby providing PLA with robust protection. Overall, the study demonstrated that 0.075% naringin emerged as the most efficient additive in stabilizing PLA against UV-induced degradation.