Processing of Thermoplastic PLA/Cellulose Nanomaterials Composites

Abstract

Over the past decades, research has escalated on the use of polylactic acid (PLA) as replacement for petroleum-based polymers. This is due to its valuable properties, such as renewability, biodegradability, biocompatibility and good thermomechanical properties. Despite possessing good mechanical properties comparable to conventional petroleum-based polymers, PLA suffers from some shortcomings such as low thermal resistance, heat distortion temperature and rate of crystallization, thus different fillers have been used to overcome these limitations. In the frame work of environmentally friendly processes and products, there has been growing interest on the use of cellulose nanomaterials viz. cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and nanofibers (CNF) as natural fillers for PLA towards advanced applications other than short-term packaging and biomedical. Cellulosic nanomaterials are renewable in nature, biodegradable, eco-friendless and they possess high strength and stiffness. In the case of eco-friendly processes, various conventional processing techniques, such as melt extrusion, melt-spinning, and compression moulding, have been used to produce PLA composites. This review addresses the critical factors in the manufacturing of PLA-cellulosic nanomaterials by using conventional techniques and recent advances needed to promote and improve the dispersion of the cellulosic nanomaterials. Different aspects, including morphology, mechanical behavior and thermal properties, as well as comparisons of CNC- and CNF reinforced PLA, are also discussed

Potential of Cellulose Microfibers for PHA and PLA Biopolymers Reinforcement

“…Since the mechanical properties of composites are essential in material selection, a possible addition with reinforcing properties for both PLA and PHA matrices are cellulose nanoparticles. Several studies reported that the use of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) in PLA matrices increased the tensile strength [ 13 , 14 ], whereas the addition of CNC in PHA leads to limited reinforcement [ 15 , 16 ]. Besides the improved mechanical properties of the PLA matrices, CNC exhibit singular structural features and excellent physicochemical properties such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, renewability, low density, adaptable surface chemistry, and optical transparency.…”

Supramolecular Interactions in Hybrid Polylactide Blends—The Structures, Mechanisms and Properties

“…Cellulose nanomaterials are cost-effective, renewable, thermally stable up to 200 °C, and lightweight and provide high strength and stiffness. As a biomaterial of anisotropic shape, good biocompatibility, excellent mechanical properties, and tailorable surface chemistry, it is of high interest for material science and biomedical engineering (wound dressing, nanocarriers for drug delivery, and scaffolds for tissue engineering) [ 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 ]. Nanocellulose of defined nano-scale structural dimensions is derived from cellulosic extracts or processed materials.…”

Biomacromolecules, Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers (2017–2019)

“…They observed the improvement of the storage modulus and heat distortion temperature of PLA. Teboho C. Mokhena et al [ 21 ] overviewed preparation and processing methods, and the mechanical, dynamic mechanical and thermal properties of PLA reinforced with cellulose nanomaterials (cellulose nanocrystals and cellulose nanofibers) (the citation number: 25). This type of material is known as “green composites”, which are of increasing concern due to their sustainability.…”