Author(s)

Erika M. Inácio, Diego H. S. Souza, Marcos L. Dias^*

Instituto de Macromoléculas Professora Eloisa Mano (IMA), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

PLLA-modified cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were produced from commercial CNC by tin-catalyzed polymerization of lactide in presence of CNC. FTIR spectroscopy demonstrated that the result of the reaction produced the grafting of PLLA chains onto CNC surface (CNC-g-PLLA). Films of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and PLA/CNC nanocomposites (with non-modified CNC and CNC-g-PLLA) containing 0.5% and 5% (w/w) of the nanofillers were prepared by casting in chloroform solution and the crystallization behavior and thermal properties investigated. All nano-composites had similar thermal stability when analyzed by TGA analyses under an inert nitrogen atmosphere. Addition of both types of CNC influenced crystallization, the higher crystallization rate being observed for 5% (w/w) CNC. Nanocomposites with 5% (w/w) CNC-g-PLLA had the strain resistance of PLA improved in the rubbery state. PLLA-modification of CNC surface increased the crystallization of PLA in PLA/CNC nanocomposites and improved the rigidity at temperatures above the glass transition, properties which are desirable for hot drinking application.

Nanocrystals, Cellulose, Poly(Lactic Acid), Grafting, Crystallizations

Inácio, E. , Souza, D. and Dias, M. (2020) Thermal and Crystallization Behavior of PLA/PLLA-Grafting Cellulose Nanocrystal. Materials Sciences and Applications, 11, 44-57. doi: 10.4236/msa.2020.111004.