Synthesis of PLA-co-PGMA Copolymer and its Application in the Surface Modification of Bacterial Cellulose

Nature fibers have been developed for the reinforcement of polymers. The main disadvantage of the natural fibers to be used as reinforcement is their hydrophilic nature. In this paper, a novel copolymer of polylactide and glycidyl methacrylate (PLA-co-PGMA) was prepared by free radical polymerization and used to modify the cellulose surface. The characterization of the PLA-co-PGMA copolymers was conducted by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and gel permeation chromatography. Modified bacterial cellulose (BC) with the copolymer was characterized by FTIR and contact angle measurements. Interfacial thermodynamic properties were studied. The results suggested that PLA-co-PGMA was efficient in modifying the BC nanofibril surface and in improving the compatibility of PLA/cellulose composites.