New PLA/PEI-functionalized Fe3O4 nanocomposite: Preparation and characterization

In this work, Fe3O4 nanoparticles were functionalized with hyperbranched polyethylenimine (PEI). The neat Fe3O4 nanoparticles (MNP) and functionalized Fe3O4 (MNP@PEI) were separately incorporated into a polylactic acid (PLA). Compared to the neat MNP, the functionalized nanoparticles (MNP@PEI) had better dispersion in the PLA matrix. The properties of the nanocomposites were strongly related to the dispersion and interaction between the nanoparticles and PLA matrix. The heat barrier effect and high nitrogen content of the MNP@PEI nanoparticles were found to be responsible for the improvement of the thermal and flame resistance properties.