Development of Poly(lactic acid) Nanocomposites Reinforced with Hydrophobized Bacterial Cellulose

J.A. AVILA RAMÍREZ; J. BOVI; C. BERNAL; M.I. ERREA; M. L. FORESTI

JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

SPRINGER/PLENUM PUBLISHERS

Lugar: New York; Año: 2019 p. 61 - 73

1566-2543

Poly(lactic acid)/bacterial cellulose nanocomposites were prepared by solvent casting. Aiming to reduce the incompatibilitybetween polar bacterial cellulose (BC) and the nonpolar poly(lactic acid) (PLA) matrix which induces filler aggregation andpoor reinforcement dispersion, BC was acetylated by the use of a non-conventional route catalyzed by citric acid. The derivatizedBC (AcBC) was incorporated into de PLA matrix at varying filler loadings, and optical, morphological, structural,thermal, tensile and barrier (water vapor) properties of PLA/AcBC in comparison with PLA/BC were evaluated. Noticeablechanges in the nanocomposite properties were ascribed to the success of the route proposed to surface hydrophobizeBC, which significantly improved its dispersibility within the PLA matrix and the matrix-filler interaction. By the way, thevariation of filler loading allowed attaining remarkable increases in the nanocomposite films stiffness without significantreductions in tensile strength and water vapor permeability.