Study on synthesis, surface derivatization, processing and techno-economic analysis of a PLA – Nanocellulose composite

Abstract

As a biodegradable material that can be obtained from sustainable resources, Polylactic acid (PLA) has positioned itself among one of the most prominent materials to substitute petrochemical-based plastics in our quest towards a circular, carbon-neutral economy. On the other hand, Cellulose, a natural polymer found as a reinforcement element in plants, cells and tissue, has a proven record of use not only as paper, but also in many composite applications as a thickening agent, as a binder, or as reinforcement in composite materials. Despite its great prospects, PLA has some serious drawbacks in its mass adoption as a substitute material of mainstream olefins, mainly due to its relatively poor mechanical, thermal and permeability properties. As such, Cellulose, in particular that which is sourced from agricultural waste products, such as Soy Husks, and scaled to its nano-constituent particles, has the potential to be used as a reinforcement and filler material in PLA, improving its weak properties. However, due to their different surface behavior, a mixture of PLA and Nanocellulose is hard to achieve without special processes. The goal of this final degree project is to study the processes in place to individualize the different nano-constituents of Cellulose, namely Cellulose Nanofibers (CNF), modify its surface behavior to make it compatible to PLA and explore the processes to which a PLA – Nanocellulose composite could be produced. This study has been made based on existing bibliography from other research fellows and the most prominent pathway to a PLA – Nanocellulose composite has been presented on this study along with a techno-economic analysis of its viability