Effect of Polyethylene Glycol in Nanocellulose/PLA Composites

Abstract

Poly (lactic acid) or PLA was reinforced by nanocellulose and polyethylene glycol (PEG), which were introduced into PLA matrix from 0 to 3 wt.% to enhance compatibility and strength of the PLA. The nanocellulose was prepared by TEMPO-mediated oxidation from microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) powder and characterized by TEM, AFM, and XRD to reveal rod-like shaped nanocellulose with nanosized dimensions, high aspect ratio and high crystallinity. Films of nanocellulose/PEG/PLA nanocomposites were prepared by solvent casting method to evaluate the mechanical performance. It was found that the addition of PEG in nanocellulose-containing PLA films resulted in an increase in tensile modulus with only 1 wt% of PEG, where higher PEG concentrations negatively impacted the tensile strength. Furthermore, the tensile strength and modulus of nanocellulose/PEG/PLA nanocomposites were higher than the PLA/PEG composites due to the existence of nanocellulose chains. Visual traces of crazing were detailed to describe the deformation mechanism.