A review of the degradation mechanisms of biodegradable PLA/PBAT films: Biological, chemical, and biochemical perspectives

Polylactic acid (PLA) and poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) are currently the most widely utilized degradable bioplastic (BPs), playing a crucial role in the sustainable bioeconomy. These degradable bioplastics, as opposed to non-degradable ones, significantly shorten decomposition time, offering biodegradation as an eco-friendly end-of-life-option and reducing environmental threats to soil and aquatic ecosystems. However, the complete degradation of BPs generally requires specific conditions, and residues generated from partial BPs degradation may still pose environmental risks, leading to secondary pollution. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of degradation mechanisms is crucial for addressing plastic waste pollution and for designing effective strategies to improve degradability. This review provides an overview of the different degradation ways of PLA, PBAT, and PLA/PBAT blends from biological, chemical and biochemical perspectives, aiming to promote the development of more environmentally friendly plastic products, contributing to the goal of better environmental sustainability.