Enhanced Thermal Stability and Mechanical Properties of <scp>PLA</scp> Nanocomposites Reinforced by Surface Modified Halloysite Nanotubes

ABSTRACT Polylactic acid (PLA) is a widely used biodegradable polymer due to its non‐toxicity, good processability, and remarkable properties although its low thermal stability restricts high‐temperature applications. Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) with a hollow tubular structure and high aspect ratio have been investigated as effective fillers to enhance polymer performance. In this study, surface‐modified HNTs were incorporated into PLA via in situ polymerization to prepare PLA/HNT nanocomposites with 0, 3, 5, 7, and 10 wt% loadings. FT‐IR spectra indicated the formation of hydrogen bonding between PLA and HNT, while SEM images confirmed homogeneous dispersion and strong interfacial adhesion. Thermal analyses revealed that the incorporation of even a small amount of HNT (3–5 wt%) effectively enhanced the thermal stability of PLA/HNT nanocomposites, increasing its degradation temperature by approximately 10°C. Among them, 5 wt% HNT provided the optimal combination of enhanced thermal stability and mechanical performance without significant loss in tensile strength. These results suggest that surface‐modified PLA/HNT nanocomposites offer improved heat resistance and processing stability, making them promising candidates for advanced packaging, electronic, and biomedical applications.