2.2.2. Composites/films preparation
The solvent-casting composites were prepared by dissolving PLA pellets in tetrahydrofuran (THF) (10%, w/v) and mixed with hydrophobic modified NCF. The modified NCF was added into the PLA solution after the PLA pellets were dissolved completely, and the mixture was thoroughly stirred for 2 h. For reference, pure PLA films were made by dissolving PLA pellets in THF and those solu- tions were cast onto Petri dishes. Similarly, the composite films with 0, 1, 5, 7, 10% (w/w) of modified NCF in PLA matrix were also prepared subsequently before being coated on handsheets. The sus- pension mixture of PLA and NCF were also casted onto glass Petri dishes and left in a fume hood overnight to evaporate the solvent. The films were removed from the Petri dishes by dipping them into