PBAT, i.e., poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate),
has its drawbacks of slower crystallization rate, lower crystallinity
degree, and modulus of elasticity features. In this study, OMCC/PBAT
complexes were obtained by blending modifications of microcrystalline
cellulose with octadecylamine (OMCC) and PBAT in a melt. OMCC significantly
enhances the PBAT crystallization degree as a nucleating agent. The
kinetics of nonisothermal crystallization for PBAT composites were
investigated, and the activation energy of crystallization was calculated.
It showed that OMCC speeds up the rate of crystallization and cuts
down on the crystallization time. Calculations of crystallization
activation energy showed that the effective barrier of the composites
was reduced. Comparing with PBAT, OMCC-PBAT is in more compatibility,
modulus of elasticity, and crystallization qualities. Potential mechanisms
of nucleation and crystallization reinforcement of PBAT complexes
were discussed, which will be beneficial for designing PBAT complexes
with microcrystalline cellulose for biopolymers.