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Mechanical and barrier properties of carbon nanotube reinforced PCL‐based composite films: Effect of gamma radiation
Author(s) -
Khan Ruhul A.,
Dussault Dominic,
Salmieri Stephane,
Safrany Agnes,
Lacroix Monique
Publication year - 2012
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.37715
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , ultimate tensile strength , composite number , polycaprolactone , carbon nanotube , compression molding , scanning electron microscope , irradiation , polymer , mold , physics , nuclear physics
Carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced (0.05–0.5% by wt) polycaprolactone (PCL)‐based composites were prepared by compression molding. Addition of 0.2% CNT caused a 131% improvement of tensile strength (TS) of PCL films. The tensile modulus (TM) and elongation at break (Eb) of PCL were also significantly improved with the addition of CNT. The water vapor permeability of PCL was 1.51 g·mm/m 2 ·day but 0.2% CNT containing PCL films showed 1.08 g·mm/m 2 ·day. Similarly, the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of PCL films was found to decrease with the addition of CNT. But, carbon dioxide transmission rate (CO 2 TR) of PCL film was improved due to incorporation of CNT. Effect of gamma radiation on PCL films and CNT reinforced PCL‐based composites were also studied. The TS of the irradiated (10 kGy) PCL films gained to 75% higher than control sample. The TS of the 0.2% CNT reinforced composite film was reached to 41 MPa at 15 kGy dose. The barrier properties of non‐irradiated and irradiated (10 kGy) PCL films and composites (0.2% CNT reinforced) were also measured. Both PCL films and composites showed lower values of WVP upon irradiation and indicated better water vapor barrier. The OTR and CO 2 TR of the irradiated (10 kGy) PCL films and composites were decreased compared to their counterparts. Surface and interface morphologies of the composites were studied by scanning electron microscopy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013