Synergistic reinforcing and toughening of poly( l -lactide) composites with surface-modified MgO and chitin whiskers

In order to improve the mechanical properties of poly(l-lactide) (PLLA), two types of whiskers, rod-like MgO whiskers (MgO-Ws) and needle-like chitin whiskers (CHN-Ws), were prepared and then surface modified with l-lactide to obtain grafted MgO-Ws and CHN-Ws (g-MgO-Ws and g-CHN-Ws), respectively. Subsequently, the initial and grafted MgO-Ws and CHN-Ws were introduced into a PLLA matrix together or singly to prepare PLLA/MgO-Ws/CHN-Ws and...