Polymeric materials derived from biomass have drawn considerable attention in recent years because of the environmental concerns and sustainability issues associated
with petroleum-based polymers [1,2]. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is one of the most extensively studied renewable materials. PLA is both bio-based and biocompostable, and
several favorable properties such as high strength and stiffness at room temperature make it promising as a substitute for conventional petroleum-based polymers. However,
there are serious limitations, notably brittleness and a low heat distortion temperature due to the low Tg of PLA (55–65 C), and no back-up of the E-modulus above Tg
due to a low rate of crystallization [3–5].