title: Method to reinforce polylactic acid with cellulose nanofibers via a polyhydroxybutyrate carrier system.
abstract: The elastic moduli of PLA reinforced with 5 and 10wt.% CNF with the carrier, at a frequency (ω) of 0.07, were 67% and 415% higher, respectively, than that of neat PLA. The shear viscosity at a shear rate of 0.01 (η0.01) for PLA+10wt.% CNF was 32% higher than that of the neat PLA matrix. The η0.01 of PLA reinforced with 5wt.% CNF and the PHB carrier was similar to neat PLA. The tensile and flexural moduli of elasticity of the nanocomposites continuously increased with increased CNF loading. The results of the mechanical property measurements are in accordance with the rheological data. The CNF appeared to be better dispersed (less-aggregated nanofibers) in the PLA reinforced with 5wt.% CNF and the PHB carrier. Possible applications for the composites studied in this research are packaging materials, construction materials, and auto parts for interior applications.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Structures and Composites Center (AEWC), University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA; Department of Forest Industry Engineering, Faculty of Forestry, University of Bartin, 74100 Bartin, Turkey. Electronic address: kiziltasalper@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Alper
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kiziltas
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA.
authors.forename: Behzad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nazari
authors.affiliation: The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBİTAK), Tunus Cad, Kavaklıdere 06100, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Esra
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Erbas Kiziltas
authors.affiliation: Advanced Structures and Composites Center (AEWC), University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA.
authors.forename: Douglas J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.affiliation: Advanced Structures and Composites Center (AEWC), University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA.
authors.forename: Yousoo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180, USA.
authors.forename: Todd S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Rushing
mesh_terms: D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry*; D018857:Food Packaging; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D012212:Rheology
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; C107955:poly(4-hydroxybutanoate); C033616:poly(lactide); D002482:Cellulose
keywords: Cellulose nanofibers (CNF); Morphology; Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB); Polylactic acid (PLA); Rheology