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Novel Carbon Nanotube/Poly(L‐lactic acid) Nanocomposites; Their Modulus, Thermal Stability, and Electrical Conductivity
Author(s) -
Moon SungIl,
Jin Fengzhe,
Lee Cheoljin,
Tsutsumi Sadami,
Hyon SuongHyu
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
macromolecular symposia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-3900
pISSN - 1022-1360
DOI - 10.1002/masy.200550625
Subject(s) - materials science , nanocomposite , carbon nanotube , thermogravimetric analysis , composite material , thermal stability , ultimate tensile strength , polymer , polymer nanocomposite , chemical engineering , engineering
The interest in poly(L‐lactic acid)(PLLA) has been increasing in recent years because this polymer is made from renewable resources and its properties are benign to the environment. Carbon nanotubes(CNTs) have shown exceptional stiffness and strength and remarkable thermal and electrical properties, which make them ideal candidates for the development of multifunctional material systems. In this study, mechanical and thermal properties as well as the electrical conductivity of CNTs/PLLA nanocomposites were investigated. Our study of the mechanical properties of these nanocomposites indicates that the tensile strength and ultimate elongation decreased, but Young's modulus slightly increased from 1 GPa to 2.5 GPa. Embedding the CNTs into the polymer matrix improves the thermal stability of the polymer. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results of PLLA and the 3 wt% CNTs/PLLA nanocomposites in air show initial weight loss at the same temperature as PLLA, but the decomposition temperature for the nanocomposite is approximately 10°C higher than that of PLLA. Similar results were found for the other CNTs/PLLA composites (5, 10 wt%). In addition, electrical conductivity and electromagnetic wave shielding effect was also investigated.