Nanocellulose Polylactide-Based Composite Films for Packaging Applications

This chapter provides recent developments on the role of nanocellulose nanoparticles on the processing, mechanical, crystallization, and especially barrier properties of polylactide (PLA) and discusses potential applications of PLA nanocellulose nanocomposite systems in packaging areas. The enhancements in mechanical and thermal properties of polymers using cellulose nanoparticles depends on the quality of nanocellulose dispersion in the polymers and the strength of adhesion at the polymer-filler interface. The incorporation of nanocellulose into PLA has created innovative and fully green nanocomposites with enhanced performance. Regardless of PLA’s advantages, some drawbacks of PLA, like low toughness, slow crystallization kinetics, and low melt strength, could be eliminated by the addition of cellulose nanoparticles. However, the highly hydrophilic surface of nanocellulose and their dispersion in PLA is still a big challenge, especially when using direct melt mixing.