Foaming of Polylactic Acid/Cellulose Nanocrystal Composites: Pickering Emulsion Templating for High-Homogeneity Filler Dispersions

Polylactic acid (PLA)/cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) composite foams have attracted much attention due to their biodegradability and potential replace petroleum-based foams. However, the dispersion of (unmodified) CNCs in PLA remains challenging. Here, we used Pickering emulsion templating method unmodified stabilize microspheres prepare a concentrated masterbatch. This masterbatch was conventional melt blending pristine obtain well-dispersed with CNC loading up 5 wt %. In comparison, PLA/CNC composites prepared by direct showed visual agglomerates CNCs. were batch foamed CO2 as physical blowing agent. We demonstrate that good obtained route is favorable for preparing smaller more uniform cell sizes higher density. These results approach masterbatches subsequent thermoplastics processing seems promising numerous industrial applications.