Structure Optimization of Cellulose Nanofibers/Poly(Lactic Acid) Composites by the Sizing of AKD

Recently, cellulose nanofibers (CNF) are used as one novel fillers to reinforce poly(lactic acid) (PLA) matrix and form PLA green nanocomposites. In the present work, alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) was used as the sizing of CNF to improve the interfacial compatibility between the hydrophilic CNF and the hydrophobic PLA. The interactions between the AKD and CNF were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), which showed the formation of ketone ester structure between AKD and the hydroxyl groups of CNF. Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) showed the little reduced thermal stability of the AKD-CNF/PLA composites. The AKD-CNF/PLA morphology has rough surfaces due to the incorporation of cellulose nanofibers. The mechanical properties of AKD-CNF/PLA were tested by tensile testing, which discovered more AKD-CNF content enhances stress–strain performance. The highest tensile strength of composites was obtained for PLA with 5.0 wt.% AKD-cellulose, which is almost nine times higher than that of the pure PLA.