Polylactic acid/polyurethane blend reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals with semi-interpenetrating polymer network (S-IPN) structure

The aim of the current work was to prepare and characterize a cellulose nanocrystal reinforced semi-interpenetrated network (SIPN) derived from polylactic acid (PLA) and polyurethane (PU) polymers. SIPN films were prepared using solvent casting from 1,4-dioxane solution. The morphology, mechanical and thermal properties of the neat SIPN and its nanocomposite were characterized. A novel dispersion method was used, for the first time, to disperse...