Effects of Acid-Anhydride-Modified Cellulose Nanofiber on Poly(Lactic Acid) Composite Films

In this study, we investigated the effect of the addition of cellulose nanofiber (CNF) fillers on the performance of poly(lactic acid) (PLA). Modification of the hydroxyl group of cellulose to the acyl group by acid anhydrides changed the compatibility of the CNF with PLA. CNF was modified by acetic anhydride, propionic anhydride, and butyric anhydride to form surface-modified acetylated CNF (CNFa), propionylated CNF (CNFp), and butyrylated CNF (CNFb), respectively, to improve the compatibility with the PLA matrix. The effects of the different acid anhydrides were compared based on their rates of reaction in the acylation process. PLA with modified cellulose nanofiber fillers formed smoother surfaces with better transparency, mechanical, and wettability properties compared with the PLA/CNF composite film. The effects of CNFa, CNFp, and CNFb on the PLA matrix were compared, and it was found that CNFp was the best filler for PLA.

Automated summary

The study investigated the effect of cellulose nanofiber fillers on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) performance by modifying the CNF with different acid anhydrides. The results showed that modified CNF fillers, especially CNFp, improved the compatibility with the PLA matrix and enhanced the properties of transparency, mechanical strength, and wettability of the composite film.