Hybrid poly(lactic acid)/nanocellulose/nanoclay composites with synergistically enhanced barrier properties and improved thermomechanical resistance

Jon Trifol Guzman, David Plackett, Cecile Sillard, Peter Szabo, Julien Bras, Anders Egede Daugaard

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Abstract

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)‐based hybrid nanocomposites (PLA, nanoclay and nanocellulose) were prepared by reinforcing neat PLA with commercially available nanoclay (Cloisite C30B) and nanocellulose, in the form of either partially acetylated cellulose nanofibres (CNFs) or nanocrystalline cellulose. Composites with 1 or 5 wt% of nanocellulose, in combination with 1, 3 and 5 wt% of nanoclay, were prepared, and their barrier properties were investigated. It was found that the combination of clay and nanocellulose clearly resulted in synergistic behaviour in terms of the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) through a reduction of up to 90% in OTR and a further reduction in the water vapour transmission rate of up to 76%. In addition, the nanocomposite films showed improved thermomechanical resistance and improved crystallisation kinetics while maintaining high film transparency. This makes the hybrid PLA/CNF/C30B nanocomposites a very promising material for food packaging applications. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Original languageEnglish
JournalPolymer International
Volume65
Issue number8
Pages (from-to)988-995
ISSN0959-8103
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016

Keywords

  • Cellulose nanofibres (CNF)
  • Nanoclay
  • Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)
  • Nanocomposites
  • Barrier properties
  • Thermomechanical properties

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