Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-1-2018
Abstract
Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were extracted from waste cottonseed hulls. The obtained CNCs were grafted with maleic anhydride (MA) and then in-situ crosslinked with Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) using dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as the crosslinking initiator. MA-grafted CNCs (MACNCs) exhibited improved dispersion state than that of pristine CNCs in the PLA matrix. The in-situ crosslinking reaction further provided a strong bridge for chemical bonding between MACNCs and PLA. The resultant PLA/MACNC composites showed a comprehensive improvement in both tensile and thermomechanical performances. At the 5 wt.% loading rate of MACNCs, the ultimate tensile strength and Young's modulus of crosslinking PLA/MACNC composites reached 56.3 and 1550 MPa, respectively, representing 73.2% and 122.7% increases compared with these of pristine PLA/CNC composite. Dynamic mechanical analysis results indicated that the crosslinking PLA/MACNCs film had the highest storage modulus in both the glassy (30 °C) and rubbery (80 °C) stages.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Industrial Crops and Products
First Page
449
Last Page
459
Recommended Citation
Zhou, L., He, H., Li, M., Huang, S., Mei, C., & Wu, Q. (2018). Enhancing mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid) through its in-situ crosslinking with maleic anhydride-modified cellulose nanocrystals from cottonseed hulls. Industrial Crops and Products, 112, 449-459. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2017.12.044