Reactive extrusion and characterization of maleic anhydride-grafted poly(lactic acid) as an interfacial compatibilizer in biopolymer composite

Good interfacial adhesion between fiber and matrix is an expected requirement for composites. The maleated poly(DL-lactic acid) (PLA) has been prepared as a compatibilizer in oil palm empty fruit bunch cellulose fiber (OPEFB) and PLA biopolymer composite. Maleic anhydride (MAH) has been grafted on the PLA structure using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as an initiator. PLA and MAH have been mixed at different ratios by reactive twin-screw melt extrusion at 175 °C. Qualitative characterization of the maleated PLA has been done by various techniques including FT-IR, 13C NMR, XPS, DSC, TGA and SEM. The glass transition and decomposition temperatures of the maleated PLA have been influenced by MAH contents. PLA/OPEFB composite containing 10 phr of the maleated PLA has been prepared by an extrusion process. The SEM micrographs showed an improvement of interfacial adhesion between OPEFB and PLA in the composite.