By adding 10 w% ESO and 20 w% MCC together in PLA, elongation
and impact strength respectively improve to 21.4% and
19.5 KJ/m2 (see Fig. 3b(G)). A brittle-toughness transition occurs
in this process. If the maleated MCC is used instead, the toughness
of ternary composites is further improved. With the DS of 5%, the
elongation and impact strength respectively reach up to 38.5%
and 31.7 KJ/m2 (see Fig. 3b(J)). MCC particles usually own a large
specific surface area, which is favorable for absorption of ESO
and then partially promoting interfacial adhesion between MCC
and PLA. After introducing chemical reaction between maleated
MCC and ESO as discussed in section 3.1–3.3, ESO is induced to
be firmly accumulated on the surface of MCC particles as the