Surface modification of microfibrillated cellulose and their composites with poly(lactic acid)

Abstract

Effect of surface acetylation and grafting of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) on mechanical properties of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC)/PLA all-biomass composite was investigated. As well as the preparation of surface-acetylated or PLA-grafted MFC, grafting of PLA on surface-acetylated MFC was attempted. The introduction of acetyl groups and PLA graft chains on MFC surface was confirmed by FTIR measurements. However, grafting of PLA chains to surface-acetylated MFC (AcMFC) was not successful, possibly because of the lowering of reaction sites on the MFC surface. Young's modulus and maximum stress of PLA was enhanced by the addition of AcMFC. However, crystallization of PLA was prevented by AcMFC. In contrast, addition of PLA-grafted MFC promoted the crystallization of PLA. © 2014 The Society of Materials Science, Japan.