The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

We developed multiscale fiber-reinforced biodegradable composites by integrating cotton woven fabric (CWF) and sustainable cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) into a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) matrix. CWF served as a structural scaffold, while CNFs acted as nanobridges to improve matrix–fiber adhesion. To facilitate CNF dispersion and interfacial bonding, a compatibilizer containing heterocyclic moieties and polylactide blocks (CHL) was synthesized. This hierarchical architecture enabled efficient stress transfer across the matrix and both micro- and nanoscale fibers. CHL-modified CNFs significantly enhanced the mechanical properties of the matrix, and the best performance was achieved with the combined reinforcement of CNFs and CWF. These findings highlight the importance of multiscale fiber design and compatibilizer-assisted interface control in developing robust, eco-friendly composites for sustainable material applications.