THE CHEMICAL DEPOLYMERIZATION OF POLYLACTIC ACID (PLA) ACCELERATED BY MICROWAVE HEATING**

Authors

Brennan M. Murphy*, University of North Georgia, Oconee campus, Watkinsville, GA 30677Follow
Jeremy T. Cooper, University of North Georgia, Oconee campus, Watkinsville, GA 30677Follow

Abstract

The production of materials from renewable resources is an important area of research. Numerous commercial materials made of biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) are now available. PLA is known to break down by hydrolytic, photo-degrative, microbial, and enzymatic processes. The conversion of PLA into methyl lactate using methanol and zinc catalysis has been reported. This study focuses on the successful accelerated conversion of PLA into methyl lactate monomers by microwave heating.

Acknowledgements

Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UNG

Recommended Citation

Murphy*, Brennan M. and Cooper, Jeremy T. (2022) "THE CHEMICAL DEPOLYMERIZATION OF POLYLACTIC ACID (PLA) ACCELERATED BY MICROWAVE HEATING**," Georgia Journal of Science, Vol. 80, No. 1, Article 7.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.gaacademy.org/gjs/vol80/iss1/7