PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PLA NANOCOMPOSITES WITH NANOCELLULOSE FILLED PVAC

PLA composites with nanocellulose filled poli(vinyl acetate) (PVAc/NC), were prepared by mixing aqueous PVAc emulsion with NC suspension and melt blending with PLA. The nanocomposites were analysed by SEM, AFM, TGA, DMTA and tensile mechanical tests, and the properties were compared with those of PLA/NC composites. Functionalization of PLA and NC by glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) was also applied to improve the nanofibre dispersion and interfacial interactions in the composites. PLA/PVAc/NC composites showed better dispersion of nanofibres into the polyester matrix, good thermal stability and higher tensile modulus and strength, as compared to PLA/NC.