Characterization of Blepharis maderaspatensis Nanocellulose-Reinforced PLA/EVA Biocomposites: Mechanical, Thermal, and Morphological Analysis

Abstract

This study investigated the development and characterization of 3D-printed poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) biocomposites reinforced with Blepharis maderaspatensis nanocellulose. Nanocellulose was extracted from B. maderaspatensis leaves and incorporated into PLA/EVA blends at 1, 3, and 5 wt% loadings. The biocomposites were extruded into filaments and 3D-printed using fused deposition modeling (FDM). FTIR analysis confirmed the successful incorporation of nanocellulose and the presence of hydrogen bonding interactions between the filler and matrix. Mechanical testing revealed that the 1 and 5 wt% filler loadings enhanced the tensile strength (28.5 and 27.9 MPa, respectively) and impact resistance (12.1 and 14.3 kJ/mm², respectively), while 3 wt.% loading maximized the flexural strength (74.2 MPa) and compressive strength (31.6 MPa). The Shore D hardness remained stable (72–74) across all formulations. TGA indicated high thermal stability with onset degradation temperatures of approximately 305°C–310°C and maximum degradation rates of 392°C–395°C. SEM and EDS confirmed uniform filler dispersion at 1 wt% and largely uniform dispersion at 5 wt%, though localized agglomerated regions were also present, explaining the balance of improved mechanical toughness but hindered crystallization. These findings demonstrate that B. maderaspatensis nanocellulose is a sustainable reinforcement for PLA/EVA composites, enabling tunable mechanical and thermal properties for biomedical three-dimensional (3D) printing applications.