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Properties and degradation behavior of surface functionalized MWCNT/poly( L ‐lactide‐co‐ε‐caprolactone) biodegradable nanocomposites
Author(s) -
Amirian Maryam,
Sui Jiehe,
Chakoli Ali Nabipour,
Cai Wei
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.34317
Subject(s) - materials science , surface modification , nanocomposite , ultimate tensile strength , caprolactone , composite material , composite number , glass transition , carbon nanotube , polyester , dynamic mechanical analysis , chemical engineering , polymer , copolymer , engineering
In this research, poly( L ‐lactide‐co‐ε‐caprolactone) (PLACL) reinforced with well‐dispersed multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposites were prepared by oxidization and functionalization of the MWCNT surfaces using oligomeric L ‐lactide (LA) and ε‐caprolactone (CL). It is found that the surface functionalization can effectively improve the dispersion and adhesion of MWCNTs in PLACL. The surface functionalization will have a significant effect on the physical, thermomechanical, and degradation properties of MWCNT/PLACL composites. The tensile modulus, yield stress, tensile strength, and elongation at break of composite increased 49%, 60%, 70%, and 94%, respectively, when the concentration of functionalized MWCNTs in composite is 2 wt %. The in vitro degradation rate of nanocomposites in phosphate buffer solution increased about 100%. The glass transition temperature ( T g ) of composites was decreased when the concentration of functionalized MWCNTs is 0.5 wt %. With further increasing the concentration of functionalized MWCNTs, the T g was increased. The degradation kinetics of nanocomposites can be engineered and functionalized by varying the contents of pristine or functionalized MWCNTs. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011