Due to their biobased nature and biodegradability, poly(lactic
acid) (PLA) rich blends are promising for processing in the packaging
industry. However, pure PLA is brittle and UV transparent, which limits
its application, so the exploration of nanocomposites with improved
interfacial interactions and UV absorbing properties is worthwhile.
We therefore developed and optimized synthesis routes for well-designed
nanocomposites based on a PLA matrix and graphitic carbon nitride
(g-C3N4; CN) nanofillers. To enhance the interfacial
interaction with the PLA matrix, a silane-coupling agent (γ-methacryloxypropyl
trimethoxysilane, KH570) is chemically grafted onto the CN surface
after controlled oxidation with nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide.
Interestingly, only 1 wt % of CNO-KH570, as synthesized under mild
conditions, is needed to significantly improve the UV absorption,
blocking even a large part of both UV-C, UV-B, and UV-A outperforming
the UV absorption performance of PLA and, for instance, polyethylene
terephthalate (PET). The low nanofiller loading of 1 wt % also results
in a higher ductility with an increase in elongation at break (+73%),
maintaining the tensile modulus. The results on a joint optimization
of UV protection and mechanical properties are supported by a broad
range of experimental characterizations, including FTIR, XRD, DSC,
DSEM, FETEM, XPS, FTIR, TGA, and BET N2 adsorption–desorption
analysis.