Abstract: Cellulose was esterified by MA in a gas-solid reaction system with the esterification confirmed via FTIR. PLA/esterified cellulose composites were prepared by melt blending technology. Properties of composites were investigated by means of mechanical properties testing, TG, DSC, and SEM. The tensile and bending moduli of the composites increased, the tensile, bending strengths and thermal stability of the composites decreased with increasing fiber content. Tc of the composites was high than neat PLA, indicating the esterified cellulose acted as a nucleating agent in PLA. Though esterified cellulose could be well dispersed in PLA, the interfacial adhesion with PLA was poor.

Key words: Polylactic acid, esterified cellulose, composite, preparation, characterization