Electrically conductive nanocomposites based on poly(lactic acid)/flexible copolyester blends with multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Kedar Nath Dhakal - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Tribhuvan University, Nepal Polymer Institute (Author)
  • Beate Krause - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Ralf Lach - , Polymer Service GmbH Merseburg (Author)
  • Andre Wutzler - , Polymer Service GmbH Merseburg (Author)
  • Wolfgang Grellmann - , Polymer Service GmbH Merseburg (Author)
  • Hai Hong Le - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Amit Das - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Sven Wießner - , Chair of Elastomeric Materials (also: Head of the Department of Elastomers at the Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V. (IPF)), Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Gert Heinrich - , Chair of Textile Technology, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Rameshwar Adhikari - , Tribhuvan University, Nepal Polymer Institute (Author)

Abstract

Nanocomposites of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) blends with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were prepared and their morphology, as well as electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties were investigated. The motivation of this work is to prepare electrically conductive and environmentally benign polymer nanocomposites using biodegradable PLA/PBAT blends. The composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, tensile and microindentation tests, and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). Volume resistivity and resistance to tensile deformation were measured for electrical characterization. The nanocomposites films were integrated into an electrical circuit to confirm their electrical conductivity. The FTIR spectra revealed the physical mixing between the polymer matrix and the filler. TEM micrographs suggested selective localization of MWCNTs in the PBAT phase with partial agglomeration forming a co-continuous morphology. TGA and derivative thermogravimetric curves suggested the overall decreasing thermal stability of composites than pure polymer blends regardless of the effects on individual blend components. A relatively low electrical percolation threshold (around 1 wt% of the fillers) compared to the literature works was achieved. Increasing electrical resistance of nanocomposites upon tensile deformation suggested their possibility of piezoresistive properties. Furthermore, the overall mechanical performance (i.e., elastic modulus, tensile strength, and hardness) of the materials was found to improve with increasing filler content.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number51554
JournalJournal of applied polymer science
Volume139
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - 20 Jan 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0003-0967-4557/work/173054850

Keywords

Keywords

  • mechanical properties, microscopy, morphology, structure–property relationships, thermal properties