Blending with low loadings of nanofillers has proved useful in
improving PLAs HDT [4,5]. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are under
study as a promising nanofiller in polymeric matrices [6]. Being
extracted from cellulose; the most abundant polymer on the planet.
It is found in plants, produced by bacteria and even found in some
sea creatures functioning as a key structural reinforcing element.
Cellulose is a semicrystalline polymeric material consisting of microfibrils
that can be deconstructed into highly crystalline CNCs by
controlled hydrolysis of amorphous domains [7e9]. CNCs possess
exceptional physical and chemical properties making them promising
nanofillers for polymeric composites. Among these properties,
CNCs possess high surface areas with reactive hydroxyl groups
which facilitate their surface modification in order to fine tune their
surface topochemistry and, therefore, extend their applications.
Such modifications are critical to enable their dispersion within bioplastic
matrices and to create strong fiber-matrix adhesion