Preparation and performance of poly (lactic acid)/fulvic acid benzhydrazide composites

Fulvic acid (FA) was reacted with benzhydrazide to obtain the amide derivative of fulvic acid benzhydrazide (FA‐BH). The structure of FA‐BH was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Poly (lactic acid)/fulvic acid benzhydrazide (PLA‐FA‐BH) composites were prepared by melt blending. Thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy, and rheological analysis of PLA‐FA‐BH composites showed that the introduction of 0.1 wt% FA‐BH increased the tensile strength, tensile modulus, elongation at break, and impact strength of PLA3 (0.1%) increased by 6.38%, 27.47%, 28.75%, and 74.56%, respectively. The crystallinity of PLA was increased from 4.63% to 41.88% due to FA‐BH. The crystallization rate of PLA was greatly improved. The network structure of the PLA matrix became stiff due to incorporation of FA‐BH. The storage modulus and complex viscosities of PLA‐FA‐BH composites were significantly improved compared with pure PLA. The nucleation effect of FA‐BH improved the comprehensive performance of PLA.