Manipulation of Crystallization Nucleation and Mechanical Properties of PBAT Films by Octadecylamine-Cellulose

PBAT, i.e., poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate), has its drawbacks of slower crystallization rate, lower crystallinity degree, and modulus of elasticity features. In this study, OMCC/PBAT complexes were obtained by blending modifications of microcrystalline cellulose with octadecylamine (OMCC) and PBAT in a melt. OMCC significantly enhances the PBAT crystallization degree as a nucleating agent. The kinetics of nonisothermal crystallization for PBAT composites were investigated, and the activation energy of crystallization was calculated. It showed that OMCC speeds up the rate of crystallization and cuts down on the crystallization time. Calculations of crystallization activation energy showed that the effective barrier of the composites was reduced. Comparing with PBAT, OMCC-PBAT is in more compatibility, modulus of elasticity, and crystallization qualities. Potential mechanisms of nucleation and crystallization reinforcement of PBAT complexes were discussed, which will be beneficial for designing PBAT complexes with microcrystalline cellulose for biopolymers.