Maleated polylactide as an interfacial compatibilizer in biocomposites

The aim of the research described in this paper was to prepare and characterize a maleated polylactide (MAPLA) and to study whether use of this additive might enhance the properties of polylactide (PLA) biocomposites. PLA and MAPLA prepared in the laboratory were characterized using various analytical techniques and the effect of using MAPLA as an additive was investigated by three methods: (a) compounding with a commercially available L-PLA and wood fiber in a Brabender mixer, (b) compounding with commercially available L-PLA and nanoclay in a Haake mini-extruder, and (c) solution treatment of jute fiber mats that were then used to prepare jute-PLA composites by a compression molding process. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) photomicrographs of the wood-PLA compound prepared in the Brabender mixer suggested some improvement in adhesion might have occurred in the presence of MAPLA. Rheological and X-ray diffraction measurements on nanoclay-PLA compounded in the mini-extruder gave mixed results but did not indicate beneficial effects from addition of MAPLA to the process. Tensile testing of jute-PLA composites showed a reduction in composite tensile strength resulting from addition of MAPLA to the fibers. Possible reasons for these results and options for further research are discussed.