Journal of Polymers and the Environment (2019) 27:1096–1104

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-019-01411-4

ORIGINAL PAPER

Compatibilizer Acidity in Coir-Reinforced PLA Composites: Matrix

Degradation and Composite Properties
T. R. Rigolin1 · M. C. Takahashi1 · D. L. Kondo1 · S. H. P. Bettini1 

Published online: 5 March 2019

© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2019

Abstract
Coir fibers are lignocellulosic fibers extracted from the outer husk of a coconut, known for their versatility and low cost. This
study assessed the feasibility of producing coir reinforced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites and the use of maleic anhydride
grafted PLA (PLA-g-MA) as compatibilizer. Composites were produced in a twin-screw extruder and the mechanical prop-
erties were evaluated by tensile, flexural and heat deflection temperature tests. The morphological properties were assessed
by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of compatibilizer and fiber content on molar mass of the composites
was assessed by means of size-exclusion chromatography. SEM images showed that addition of the compatibilizer improved
interfacial adhesion. However, this finding was not reflected in the mechanical properties because the high acidity content of
the compatibilizer, revealed by titration of acid groups, along with the residual moisture of the fibers, significantly decreased
molar mass of the polymer, impairing the composite matrix properties.

Keywords  PLA · Coir fiber · Composite · Compatibilizer · Degradation

Introduction
Developments in the field of biodegradable and renewable
resource-based polymers are ever growing due to concerns
about sustainability and environmental impacts caused by
the production and disposal of consumer goods [1, 2]. Poly-
mers that have the aforementioned characteristics include
poly(lactic acid) (PLA), an interesting polymer with attrac-
tive mechanical properties—high Young’s modulus and high
tensile strength- similar to polystyrene [3]. Although PLA is
classified as biodegradable, its degradation rate is the low-
est compared to other polymers in this class, rendering it,
therefore, feasible for several technological applications, not
* S. H. P. Bettini
silvia.bettini@ufscar.br
T. R. Rigolin
talita.rigolin@gmail.com
M. C. Takahashi
marcioctk1@gmail.com
D. L. Kondo
drikondo@hotmail.com
1
Department of Materials Engineering, Universidade Federal
de São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luiz, km 235, São Carlos,
SP 13565‑905, Brazil
only for disposable ones, like packaging, but also for durable
products, such as automotive and electronic components [4].
Due to its aforementioned mechanical performance and
good processability, PLA has become one of the leading
biodegradable and bio-based polymers regarding production
and commercialization. In 2013, PLA production reached
180,000 ton/year. According to forecasts, production will
reach around 800,000 ton/year by 2020 [5]. Even though
future perspectives in the PLA market are positive, applica-
tions are still limited due to the high prices of the resin com-
pared to conventional polymers [2]. Aiming at cost reduc-
tion and, simultaneously, increase or, at least, maintain the
mechanical performance of PLA, researchers have proposed
the incorporation of natural fibers in PLA matrix [6–9].
Plant fibers are interesting raw materials for achieving
reinforcement and increase economic competitiveness of
PLA due to their extensive availability and mechanical
potential to substitute synthetic fibers. In addition, plant
fibers have lower density and are less abrasive to processing
equipment than synthetic fibers, which are more expensive
and require a lot of energy for their manufacture [10, 11].
Coir fibers are good candidates because the fruit is extremely
versatile, utilized for food purposes and for production of a
wide range of industrialized products. The intense exploita-
tion of coir crops generates enormous amounts of biomass,

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Journal of Polymers and the Environment (2019) 27:1096–1104 1097
which are generally disposed of in landfills or even in inad-
equate locations, causing severe social and environmental
issues [6, 12, 13]. On the other hand, coir fibers, compared to
other natural fibers, have relatively low mechanical strength
to increase the mechanical properties of PLA matrix [10,
13–15]. Nevertheless, using coir fibers as reinforcement in
PLA composites focuses on the opportunity to explore the
low cost, widespread cultivation and high volumes of these
wastes, maintaining, at least, the mechanical performance
of PLA composites.
However, PLA’s relatively weak hydrophilicity and lower
polarity compared to that of plant fibers, which contain
polar hydroxyl groups on the surface, may cause chemical
incompatibility between these two phases in the composites
[10, 11]. Indeed, the literature has shown that plant fiber
reinforced PLA composites exhibit poor interfacial adhe-
sion, resulting in inefficient stress transfer from the matrix
to the fibers [16–19]. Thus, to improve mechanical proper-
ties, the interface should be modified to increase interactions
between the components of the composites.
There are many possible chemical or physical means to
achieve improved interfacial adhesion in plant fiber rein-
forced PLA composites, such as alkali treatment of the fib-
ers, use of isocyanates and silanes as coupling agents or
addition of compatibilizers [20–22].
Compatibilization achieved by adding PLA grafted with
maleic anhydride (PLA-g-MA), produced by reactive extru-
sion, is an effective means to manufacture composites at
high production rates and is, therefore, economically feasible
on an industrial scale. PLA-g-MA is prepared by grafting
of maleic anhydride (MA) onto PLA chains. An initiator,
usually peroxides, is required to create reactive sites onto
which MA is grafted. It has been observed that the chemical
modification of PLA in the presence of MA and initiator is
accompanied by molar mass reduction due to chain scission
side reactions [8, 23, 24]. The acidity content in modified
PLA (PLA-g-MA) increases as a result of MA grafting, but
PLA degradation also contributes to increase its acidity.
The decrease in molar mass of the compatibilizer probably
facilitates chain diffusion to the interface in composites. Fur-
thermore, the inserted carboxylic acids may react with the
hydroxyl groups present in plant fibers. Hence, the increase
in acidity of modified PLA likely increases bond strength,
at the interface, between the composite constituents. In con-
trast, it is known that PLA degradation occurs mainly via
hydrolysis reactions, which are catalyzed by acid conditions
[25], thus, it is possible that the higher acidity content in
the compatibilizer promotes a decrease in PLA molar mass
during composite processing, as the presence of hydrophilic
fibers introduces humidity to the system.
Hence, introducing a compatibilizer with high acidity con-
tent in the composites can promote both improvement in inter-
facial adhesion between the phases and molar mass reduction
Content courtesy of Springer Nature, terms of use apply. Rights reserved.
of the matrix. This study proposes to investigate the effects of
adding PLA-g-MA as compatibilizer in coir fiber reinforced
PLA composites and on mechanical properties at different
compatiblizer and fiber contents.
Experimental
Materials
The materials used were: poly(lactic acid), grade Ingeo™
Biopolymer 7001D, with MFR of 6 g/10 min (210 °C, 2.16 kg)
supplied by NatureWorks; MA with purity ≥ 99%, purchased
from Sigma-Aldrich; dicumyl peroxide (DCP) supplied by
Perkadox BC FF, donated by AkzoNobel; and coir fiber (CF)
supplied by Inbrasfama with tensile strength of 109.2 MPa, as
determined in previous study [26].
Modification of PLA by Reactive Extrusion
Modification of PLA with MA, in the presence of peroxide,
was conducted in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder (L/D = 35)
model ZSK30 (Werner-Pfleiderer, USA). The following
conditions were used: temperature profile of 150, 180, 180,
180, 180, and 180 °C; feed rate of 3 kg/h and screw speed of
100 rpm. PLA modification was carried out with 2 phr of MA
and 1 phr of peroxide and the PLA obtained was denominated
PLA-g-MA. PLA was previously dried in a vacuum oven at
80 °C for 15 h.
PLA Purification and Titration of Acid Groups
To evaluate the chemical modification of PLA with MA,
titration of acid groups was performed. The extruded sam-
ples (processed PLA and PLA-g-MA) were dried in a vacuum
oven at 70 °C and purified to remove residual monomers and/
or oligomers in the polymer mass. Purification consisted in
dissolving the samples in chloroform for 60 min at room tem-
perature and subsequent precipitation in ethanol. The solution
was centrifuged for 10 min at 10,000 rpm and the precipitate
was washed with ethanol and dried again in a vacuum oven
for subsequent titration.
The purified samples were solubilized in chloroform at
room temperature for 60 min and titrated with 0.03M ethanolic
KOH solution. The indicator used was a phenolphthalein solu-
tion. An excess of approximately 0.200 mL was subsequently
added. A reverse titration was made with 0.05 M HCl solution
(isopropyl alcohol). The percentage of acidity was calculated
through Eq. 1.
Ve × CKOH × Mga
( )
% acidity = × 100 (1)
ma
13

1098
where, ­Ve is the equivalent volume of KOH added
­(VKOH + Vexcess − VHCl), ­CKOH molar concentration of KOH,
­Mga is the molar mass of PLA acid group (45 g/mol) and ­ma
is the mass of the sample. All titrations were performed in
triplicate to ensure the reliability of results [27].
Processing of the Composites
Composites were produced in a segmented co-rotating twin-
screw extruder, DRC model (Imacon, Brazil), L/D = 40,
under the following conditions: temperature profile of 110,
140, 175, 180, 180, 180, 180, 180, 180, 175, and 185 °C;
15 kg/h feed rate and screw speed of 150 rpm. PLA, PLA-
g-MA and coir fiber were previously dried in a vacuum oven
at 80 °C for 15 h. Neat PLA was processed as reference and
PLA-g-MA was reprocessed in this extruder. All composi-
tions are described in Table 1.
The pellets obtained were dried in a vacuum oven at
70 °C for 4 h and molded in an Arburg injection molding
machine (Allrounder, Germany). The following conditions
were used: temperature profile of 150, 160, 170, 175 and
180 °C; injection pressure of 1100–1200 bar; mold tempera-
ture of 30 °C and cooling time of 30 s.
Characterization of the Composites
Tensile and three-point bending flexural tests were carried
out using an Instron 5569 universal testing machine (Instron,
England) in accordance with ASTM D638 and ASTM D790,
at test speeds of 5 mm/min and 1.35 mm/min, respectively.
Heat deflection temperature (HDT) tests were performed
at 1.82 MPa in a HDT/Vicat equipment (CEAST, Italy),
according to ASTM D648. At least five specimens were
tested.
Fractured samples from the tensile test were coated with
gold and analyzed in a FEI Inspect S 50 (FEI, Czech Repub-
lic) scanning electron microscopy.
Table 1  Description of the Identification code PLA (wt%)
formulations
Processed PLA 100
 C_0_10 90
 C_0_30 70
PLA-g-MA* 100
 C_5_10 85
 C_10_10 80
 C_5_30 65
 C_10_30 60
Sample code C_X_Y: composite_compatibilizer content_fiber content
*Concentrations during reactive extrusion
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Journal of Polymers and the Environment (2019) 27:1096–1104
The formulation without compatibilizer containing
30 wt% coir fibers was subjected to more severe process-
ing conditions, due to the higher fiber content, and conse-
quently, the higher viscosity of the medium; thus, the fre-
quency of fiber breakage was higher compared to the other
formulations. Therefore, this formulation was chosen for
determination of the mean aspect ratio and the value was
compared to the theoretical critical aspect ratio. If the mean
aspect ratio happens to be higher than the critical one, this
will also occur for the other formulations. Injection molded
specimens of the composites were dissolved in chloroform
in order to separate the fibers from the PLA matrix. After
separation, measurements of the mean length and diameter
of the fibers were obtained by photographs without mag-
nification using Image-Pro Plus 3.5 software from Media
Cybernetics Company. Approximately 3000 measurements
were considered.
Size‑Exclusion Chromatography (SEC)
SEC analyses were performed in a Viscotek_HT-GPC (Mal-
vern, USA) with refractive index detector and a calibration
curve from polystyrene (PS) standards. Samples were dis-
solved in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at 50 °C, filtered (in order
to separate the fibers from the matrix) and injected into
the chromatograph at a flow of 1 mL/min of the main and
auxiliary pumps. Measurements were made from injected
specimens.
Results and Discussion
Analysis of Mean Fiber Length
An aspect ratio equal to or above the critical aspect ratio
is required for effective load transfer from the matrix to
the fiber [28]. The mean length (l) and mean diameter (d)
of the fibers were obtained to compare the measured fiber
PLA-g-MA Coir fiber MA (phr) DCP (phr)
(wt%) (wt%)
– – – –
– 10 – –
– 30 – –
– – 2 1
5 10 – –
10 10 – –
5 30 – –
10 30 – –
Journal of Polymers and the Environment (2019) 27:1096–1104 1099

length-to-diameter ratio (l/d) to the critical aspect ratio (­ lc/d), Table 2  Tensile properties and HDT of the compositions [29]
which can be calculated by the Kelly-Tyson (Eq. 2) [28]: Identification Tensile Tensile Elongation HDT (°C)
lc 𝜎fu code strength modulus at break
= (2) (MPa) (GPa) (%)
d 2𝜏i
Processed PLA 65.6 ± 1.5 3.6 ± 0.1 6.0 ± 0.5 52.2 ± 0.4
In which, σfu is the fiber tensile stress at break and τi  C_0_10 57.4 ± 0.8 4.0 ± 0.3 3.8 ± 0.3 52.8 ± 0.2
is the interface strength in shear. Figure 1 shows the fiber  C_0_30 52.8 ± 2.5 4.8 ± 0.1 2.0 ± 0.3 53.8 ± 0.4
length distribution. The results show that the mean fiber PLA-g-MA 39.3 ± 2.1 3.9 ± 0.2 1.4 ± 0.3 50.2 ± 0.2
length is 460 µm (0.46 mm) and the mean fiber diameter  C_5_10 56.9 ± 0.8 4.1 ± 0.2 3.8 ± 0.2 52.7 ± 0.3
is 183 µm, resulting in an aspect ratio of 2.51. Using Eq. 2  C_10_10 57.9 ± 0.6 4.0 ± 0.1 3.7 ± 0.2 52.8 ± 0.4
and assuming that the interface is perfect and the matrix  C_5_30 45.5 ± 5.0 4.3 ± 0.2 1.8 ± 0.4 51.6 ± 0.4
resistance is the limiting factor for an ideal reinforcement  C_10_30 45.2 ± 3.6 4.3 ± 0.1 1.8 ± 0.3 51.9 ± 0.2
situation, τi was assumed as the tensile strength at yield of
the neat matrix (65.6 MPa) and, as determined in previous
study [26], we considered 𝜎fu as 109.2 MPa. The calculated
critical aspect ratio ­(lc/d) is 0.83, that is, the aspect ratio of Adhesion between matrix and fiber is desirable for the load
fibers (2.51) are greater than the critical aspect ratio ­(lc/d). It to be transferred efficiently from the matrix to the fiber.
can thus be assumed that even after fiber size reduction, due The results show that the tensile strength of the compos-
to intense shearing during extrusion and injection molding, ites is lower than that of PLA. This result may be due to
the average fiber aspect ratio was greater than the critical differences in polarity between the PLA matrix and the coir
aspect ratio, which should provide effective load transfer of fibers, which may cause inefficient stress transfer between
the matrix to the fibers. the components. In this way, the fibers would act as stress
concentrators in the PLA matrix.
Composite Properties The addition of the compatibilizer (PLA-g-MA) is
expected to improve the interfacial adhesion between matrix
The tensile properties and HDT of the compositions are polymer and coir fiber, however tensile strength of the com-
summarized in Table 2. The polymer–fiber interfacial inter- posites was reduced when PLA-g-MA was added. The elon-
action is a critical factor that influences the mechanical prop- gation at break was also reduced with the introduction of the
erties of the composite [28]. It is well known that Young’ s fibers. Table 3 shows the flexural properties of the composi-
modulus usually increases with increasing fiber content in tions had similar behavior to that of the tensile properties,
the composite, as demonstrated by the results of composi- except for less concentration of coir fibers in PLA-g-MA
tions with 10 and 30 wt% coir fiber. On the other hand, ten- composites (C_5_10 and C_10_10).
sile strength is highly influenced by interfacial interaction. Even though the addition of the fibers increased PLA’s
modulus, the HDT of the composites, contrary to expec-
tations, was not significantly shifted to higher tempera-
tures, as Table 2 demonstrates. Tomczak et al. [13] stud-
ied thermal properties of Brazilian coir fibers and revealed
that the dry fibers present a transition temperature around

Table 3  Flexural properties of the compositions

Identification code Flexural Flexural Elongation
strength modulus at break (%)
(MPa) (GPa)

Processed PLA 104.7 ± 1.1 3.4 ± 0.3 5 ± 0.0

 C_0_10 99.8 ± 1.1 4.1 ± 0.4 3.6 ± 0.3
 C_0_30 95.5 ± 2.1 4.8 ± 0.1 2.6 ± 0.1
PLA-g-MA 44.5 ± 3.8 3.7 ± 0.3 1.2 ± 0.1
 C_5_10 104.8 ± 1.6 4.0 ± 0.1 3.6 ± 0.1
 C_10_10 107.1 ± 1.4 4.2 ± 0.3 3.6 ± 0.2
 C_5_30 73.5 ± 4.2 4.6 ± 0.2 2.0 ± 0.2
 C_10_30 83.9 ± 2.0 4.4 ± 0.2 2.4 ± 0.0
Fig. 1  Frequency distribution histogram of the fiber length

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1100 Journal of Polymers and the Environment (2019) 27:1096–1104

33 °C associated to the plasticizing effect of small amounts fibers or (b) degradation reactions occurred in the matrix
of water absorbed from ambient moisture. Fiber modulus during composite processing, which reduced the properties.
shows an intense decrease as temperature increases, due to To provide adhesion between the phases the compati-
chain segments that acquire mobility. Hence, in the tempera- bilizer should contain a higher number of acid groups in
ture range at which PLA softens, coir fibers stiffness was not relation to the PLA matrix, to increase the probability that
sufficient to improve HDT of the composites. these group react with the hydroxyl groups of the fibers. In
To understand the reasons for the decrease in mechani- addition, the molar mass should provide sufficient mobility
cal properties in the presence of the compatibilizers, two to enable the groups to reach the interface for the reactions
hypotheses were investigated: (a) the compatibilizer was not to occur. Hence, both molar mass and compatibilizer acidity
effective in improving adhesion between the matrix and the were analyzed, and are presented in Table 4.
The grafting of MA onto PLA strongly increased acidity
content (342%) and reduced polymer molar mass. Similar
results have been observed by other authors [23, 24]. The
Table 4  Number average molar mass (Mn), weight average molar increase in acidity of the compatibilizer (PLA-g-MA) in
mass (Mw), polydispersity index (PDI) and acidity percentage of relation to PLA is due to three main reactions: (a) insertion
samples of MA molecules into PLA, (b) condensation reactions of
Identification code Mn (Da) Mw (Da) PDI Acidity (%) the anhydride with the terminal hydroxyls of PLA and (c)
degradation of PLA during reactive extrusion, in the pres-
Processed PLA 101,648 181,017 1.78 0.14 ± 0.02
ence of peroxide. (reactions illustrated in Fig. 2). Unlike
 C_0_10 90,159 164,457 1.83 –
polyolefins that do not have acid groups in the molecule,
 C_0_30 83,383 154,222 1.85 –
whereby the grafting content may be considered the same as
PLA-g-MA 25,375 50,900 2.01 0.62 ± 0.03
the acidity percentage, PLA has carboxylic acid end groups,
 C_5_10 80,152 155,830 1.94 –
and this direct relation does not hold.
 C_10_10 70,023 139,109 1.99 –
To verify the first hypothesis, SEM analyses were con-
 C_5_30 55,572 114,397 2.06 –
ducted and the micrographs are shown in Figs. 3 and 4.
 C_10_30 45,187 93,980 2.08 –

Fig. 2  Three main reactions of PLA in the presence of MA and peroxide; a grafting of MA onto PLA, b condensation reactions of the anhydride
with the terminal hydroxyls of PLA and c PLA chain scission

13

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Journal of Polymers and the Environment (2019) 27:1096–1104 1101
Fig. 3  SEM micrographs of the fractured samples from the tensile
test with 10 wt% coir fiber; × 100 magnification: a without compati-
bilizer b 5 wt% of PLA-g-MA c 10 wt% of PLA-g-MA; × 200 magni-
Analysis of the fractured composite surface (Figs. 3, 4)
show that the composites without compatibilizer (C_0_10
and C_0_30) present fiber debonding and voids, which
indicate lack of adhesion and, therefore, no efficient load
transfer from the matrix to the fiber. The addition of the
compatibilizer, however, increased adhesion between the
fibers and the PLA matrix, and the fibers ruptured flush
with the polymer surface, indicating appropriate stress
transfer from the matrix to the fiber. The micrographs also
reveal that 5 wt% compatibilizer is sufficient for adequate
composite compatibilization and the highest compatibi-
lizer content does not improve composite interfacial adhe-
sion. These results suggest the first hypothesis does not
hold and, therefore, the second hypothesis was analyzed.
To assess this hypothesis, another important feature
that must be considered are the hydrolysis reactions due
to the residual moisture in the system. Hydrolysis of PLA
ester bonds are catalyzed in acidic conditions and new
molecules with lower molar mass are produced [25]; the
breaking of the ester bond generates a higher carboxylic
acid end group content, as can be seen in Fig. 5.
Content courtesy of Springer Nature, terms of use apply. Rights reserved.
fication (from the highlighted regions): a1 without compatibilizer b1
5 wt% of PLA-g-MA c1 10 wt% of PLA-g-MA
Introducing compatibilizer into PLA/coir composite
increases acidity, so PLA was isolated from the composite
by solubilization and filtration and subsequently analyzed
by SEC. Results depicted in Table 4 show that PLA molar
mass of all composites are lower than that of processed PLA.
The simple addition of fiber to PLA decreases Mn and Mw
of the matrix, as can be observed from Table 4 (C_0_10 and
C_0_30). In the presence of the compatibilizer the reduction
is greater, principally with the highest compatibilizer con-
tent. Another important observation is that the combination
of the highest fiber and compatibilizer content (C_10_30)
leads to a more pronounced reduction in molar mass (reduc-
tion > 50%) of the matrix.
The polar nature of cellulosic fibers, such as coir fibers,
makes drying essential before composite preparation. How-
ever, even after the drying process the fibers present residual
water content due to the ambient moisture. Furthermore,
the high acidity of the compatibilizer increases the acid-
ity of the medium. As previously mentioned, the hydroly-
sis reactions are catalyzed in acidic conditions and these
reactions are accompanied by degradation of the polymer.
13

1102
Fig. 4  SEM micrographs of the fractured samples from the tensile
test with 30 wt% coir fiber. × 100 magnification: a without compati-
bilizer b 5 wt% of PLA-g-MA c 10 wt% of PLA-g-MA; × 200 magni-
Fig. 5  Simple scheme of PLA degradation via hydrolysis of the ester
bond
13
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Journal of Polymers and the Environment (2019) 27:1096–1104
fication (from the highlighted regions): a1 without compatibilizer b1
5 wt% of PLA-g-MA c1 10 wt% of PLA-g-MA
The combination of higher fiber content, and consequently,
higher water content, with higher compatibilizer content
in the composite leads to a more severe degradation of the
polymer, as demonstrated by the molar mass results.
The results suggest that the reduction in mechanical
strength of the compatibilized composites is not due to the
lack of adhesion between the phases, but to the degradation
of the PLA matrix caused by the acid hydrolysis in the pres-
ence of compatibilizer and residual moisture of the fibers. To
minimize these lateral reactions an optimum compatibilizer
concentration should be encountered which provides adhe-
sion between the phases and minimize degradation reactions
of the matrix.
However, as aforementioned, flexural strength was
slightly better for less concentration of coir fibers in PLA-
g-MA composites (C_5_10 and C_10_10). During the injec-
tion molding, it has been observed that polymers exhibit the
morphology composed of ‘‘skin–core’’ kind of structure.
The skin is composed of a frozen oriented polymer layer.
Fibers also get preferentially oriented in flow direction. We
observed that degradation reactions, occurred in the matrix
during composite processing, reduced the tensile properties
Journal of Polymers and the Environment (2019) 27:1096–1104 1103
of composites. However, flexural strength was better for
less concentration of coir fibers in PLA-g-MA composites
(C_5_10 and C_10_10). This probably is due to the type of
mechanical test. While in the tensile test the properties are
more dependent on the bulk, in the flexural test the proper-
ties are strongly dependent of the outermost layers of the
material, since the highest tensile solicitation is on the probe
surface. Therefore, despite the matrix degradation, which
was less significant comparing with 30% of fibers, the orien-
tation of the fibers and molecules due to skin-core structur-
ing caused an effect of maintenance of flexural strength for
these compositions.
Conclusion
10. Gurunathan T, Mohanty S, Nayak SK (2015) A review of the
Incorporating coir fibers in PLA to reduce the cost of the
final product is a promising method to convert the residues
into high added-value products and, at the same time, to
provide a more appropriate final destination for this agro-
industrial residue. A considerable amount (30 wt%) can be
added to PLA with traditional processing equipment.
The residual moisture of fibers, even after drying, leads to
PLA matrix degradation, slightly decreasing the molecular
weight of the polymer. Nevertheless, the mechanical prop-
erties are not significantly affected. The composites com-
patibilized with PLA-g-MA, however, exhibit a pronounced
decrease in molar mass due to the effect of the high acid-
ity of the compatibilizer which catalyzes the hydrolysis
reactions in PLA. In this case, the effect of the molar mass
reduction is superior to the effect of the increased interfacial
adhesion after compatibilizer addition; therefore, these com-
positions had a greater reduction in mechanical properties.
Likely, controlling compatibilizer acidity may ensure a bet-
ter balance between the degradation of the PLA matrix and
the improvement in interfacial adhesion, and hence achieve
improved PLA composite mechanical properties.
Acknowledgements  This study was financed in part by the Coorde-
nação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior—Bra-
sil (CAPES)—Finance Code 001. The authors would like to thank
Inbrasfama for the donation of coir fiber and the financial support by
PPG-CEM.
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