Plasticized poly lactic acid/cellulose nanocomposites were prepared by melt compounding using liquid feeding of cellulose nanofibers (CNF). It has been demonstrated in our previous studies that liquid feeding of nanomaterials during the extrusion process is a good approach to prepare cellulose nanocomposites and avoid the use of dried nanomaterials and the problems that this implies. However, the effect of important processing parameters during the extrusion as screw speed, liquid feeding location, screw configuration, use of compatibilizer have not yet been systematically studied. In this work, the effect of three screw speed on the dispersion and distribution of the CNF in the PLA matrix as well as the use of maleic anhydride grafted poly(lactic acid) as compatibilizer was studied. Glycerol triacetate (GTA) was used as processing aid to facilitate the dispersion and distribution of the CNF and as liquid carrier for feeding these into the extruder. Nanocomposites with 1 wt% CNF and 20 wt% GTA were prepared, compression molded films with different cooling rates were characterized. High resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM) was used to analyze the dispersion and distribution of the nanofibers in the matrix. Nanocomposites mechanical properties, crystallinity, transparency and flow properties were studied.

Liquid assisted melt compounding of nanocomposites based on PLA: Processing and properties

251st National Meeting (2016)

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