Summary
Cellulose nanomaterials have been shown to improve the mechanical and barrier properties of bio-based polymers, such as poly(lactic acid).. Successful strategies for improving the interaction between cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and polymers include adding fatty acid methyl esters to the surface and producing lignin-containing CNCs directly from wood. Incorporating these modified CNCs into poly(lactic acid) resulted in composites with increased toughness and films with improved barriers to oxygen and water vapors. These composites were produced entirely from renewable materials, have the potential to improve the shelf-life of food products, and are biodegradable.
