PLA-Based Nanocomposites Reinforced with CNC for Food Packaging Applications: From Synthesis to Biodegradation

Abstract

The costs of biobased and biodegradable polymers are generally still much higher than that of their traditional polymer counterparts Frequently used in the food packaging field. Although PLA is currently used in the market in several packaging applications,its potential to substitute petrochemical-based polymers has not yet been realized in full perspective. The reinforcing effect of CNC has a large potential inenhancing the crystallinity of PLA that could result in higher tortuosity of the transport path improving the typically low barrier properties of PLA. However, the high polarity of CNC surface should be reduced for the industrial melt processing of PLA?nanocellulose-based materials. The surface functionalization by means of the use of a surfactant is an easy way to improve the dispersion of CNC into PLA matrix.The well dispersion of cellulosic nanoparticles achieved during nanocomposite processing has a large potential in improving the mechanical performance. Additionally, the CNC presence also accelerates the degradation rate of the PLA-based nanocomposites.These bionanocomposites are promising candidates for sustainable post-use waste treatments, such as composting, when short biodegradation times are required like the case of food packaging.