During his PhD research, Mansurali Mithani applied a holistic, multi-scale approach using advanced characterization techniques, including small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering, in situ Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy microscopy, and modulated differential scanning calorimetry, to understanding the interplay between molecular structure, polymorphism, crystallization behavior, amorphous-phase distribution, and material properties in filler-induced bio-based stereocomplex polylactide (PLA) polymer systems. In particular, Mansurali Mithani demonstrated how the interactions among the rigid amorphous fraction immobilized regions closely associated with crystalline domains, the mobile amorphous phase, the more flexible, disordered fraction, and the crystalline polymorphs collectively govern the thermal, rheological, barrier, and biodegradation properties of PLA.

The analytical approaches and insights generated in his thesis will not only advance the adoption of PLA in food packaging but will also be transferable to a broad range of other bio-based plastics, ultimately helping establish design principles for high-performance, sustainable packaging materials.

The PhD study was completed at the Department of Food Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Tuesday, 23 June 2026 at 13:00
Place: Building 5910, room 214, Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Agro Food Park 48, DK-8200 Aarhus N
Title of PhD thesis: The role of stereocomplexation in the processing–structure–function interrelationships of three-phase polylactide systems
Contact information: Mansurali Mithani, e-mail: mansur@food.au.dk, tel.: +45 91978626
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Marco Giacinti Baschetti, Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, University of Bologna, Italy
Senior Scientist María José Fabra Rovira, Department of Food Safety and Preservation, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Valencia, Spain
Professor Lotte Bach Larsen (chair), Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Denmark
Supervisor: Associate Professor Ilke Uysal Unalan, Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Denmark
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.
The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Technical Sciences/GSTS, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1521, 8000 Aarhus C.