【Frontiers in HaiChuan Technology】An USTC team has successfully developed a new type of high-performance biomimetic polylactic acid composite film

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A team from the University of Science and Technology of China has successfully developed a new type of biomimetic polylactic acid high-performance composite film. On January 6, 2025, the Institute of Advanced Technology at the University of Science and Technology of China reported that a team led by Academician Yu Shuhong from this university has created such a biomimetic, biodegradable composite film. Its high strength, excellent barrier properties, and superior optical characteristics offer new options for packaging materials used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. According to Li Dehan, the head of the research results transformation team, this high-performance polylactic acid composite film material takes advantage of the team’s novel method for the mass synthesis of nanomica sheets; by combining these nanomica sheets with polylactic acid, the performance of the material is significantly improved. This material has a mechanical tensile strength of up to 100 MPa, while also exhibiting excellent barrier properties. This material possesses excellent biodegradability; it can be degraded within 60 days under composting conditions, offering an effective solution to the problem of plastic pollution. While improving performance, the research team significantly reduced production costs by adding nanofillers. This innovation makes its application possible in multiple industries, such as flexible sensing, high-barrier films, and substrates for electronic devices. The team also achieved the biomimetic, ordered assembly of composite film materials through self-developed devices and equipment, providing a technical foundation for large-scale production. Li Dehan said, “Our products feature three core technologies: mica nanonation technology, raw material synthesis technology, and film forming technology.” ” Li Dehan said that globally, an increasing number of businesses and consumers are paying attention to and adopting biodegradable materials to reduce their impact on the environment. In the future, the team will continue to explore the applications of this material in fields such as food, pharmaceuticals, and high-end sustainable packaging materials.