Barrier performance and biodegradability of antibacterial poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) nanocomposites reinforced with a new MWCNT-ZnO nanomaterial

Abstract

A new nanomaterial or nano-filler in the form of multiwalled carbon nanotube-zinc oxide (MWCNT-ZnO) was synthesized for the purpose of modifying poly(butylene adipate-coterephthalate) (PBAT) and its derivative (modified PBAT or MPBAT) through a melt-blending method (MPBAT was obtained by introducing maleic anhydride groups into PBAT). The effect of the new nano-filler on the properties of resultant nanocomposites was determined from the characterization of mechanical properties, morphology, crystallinity, thermal stability, barrier properties, hydrophilicity, conductivity, antibacterial property, and biodegradability. The results showed that MPBAT nanocomposites had stronger mechanical properties, better barrier properties, and higher electrical conductivity than PBAT nanocomposites. Scanning electron microscopy illustrated that MWCNT-ZnO had better compatibility with MPBAT than with PBAT. At 0.2% MWCNT-ZnO, the MPBAT/MWCNT-ZnO nanocomposite film exhibited the greatest mechanical properties (17.74% increase in tensile strength, 22.17% in yield strength, and 14.29% in elongation at break). When the MWCNT-ZnO content was 0.4%, the nanocomposite film demonstrated the best water vapor barrier ability (an increase of 30.4%). The MPBAT/MWCNT-ZnO film with 0.6% MWCNT-ZnO turned out to have the best oxygen barrier performance (an increase of 130% relative to pure PBAT). It was shown from the results NanotechnologyNanotechnology 32 (2021) 485706 (17pp)

Barrier Properties and Hydrophobicity of Biodegradable Poly(lactic acid) Composites Reinforced with Recycled Chinese Spirits Distiller’s Grains

“…From the cooling curves in Figure 6, PLA and MPLA indicated no crystallization peaks. This is because PLA had very slow crystallization, and the cooling rate of 10 • C/min was too fast, making it too late for PLA to crystallize [44]. With the addition of CSDG, both PLA and MPLA indicated crystallization peaks, which may be attributed to CSDG acting as a nucleating agent for polymers and accelerating the crystallization rate of PLA.…”

Photocatalytic Self-Cleaning PVDF Membrane Blended with MWCNT-ZnO Nanocomposites for RhB Removal

“…For synthesis, 100 mL of 0.1 M zinc nitrate hexahydrate Zn (NO 3 ) 2 • 6 H 2 O solution were added to water-dispersed functionalized MWCNT, under continuous stirring for 3 h. Subsequently, a solution of 1 M sodium hydroxide Na(OH) was dropwise added at a constant stirring rate until a white precipitate of zinc hydroxide was obtained. After the pH = 12 was reached, the mixture was transferred to the ultrasonic bath maintaining the sonication for 4 h at 60 • C to ensure a good attaching of ZnO on functionalized MWCNT [23]. The obtained MWCNT-ZnO was washed with ultrapure water and then dried at 70 • C for 12 h. After that, the samples were thermally treated at 400 • C, for 2 h. The molar ratio MWCNT-ZnO was 1:4.…”

A brief review on preparation and application of MWCNT-based polymer nanocomposites

“…Therefore numerous researches are in the process throughout the world to achieve optimum best conducting polymer composites for different advance applications. MWCNT has been incorporated into different polymers such as ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) [28], polyurethane block [29], polystyrene (PS)/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) composites [30], polyolefins [31], polyesters [18,32] and PLA [51] In these system electricalconducting properties, thermal, morphological, me-chanical and dielectric properties are enhanced. MWCNT also worked as compatibilizer between PS and PVDF [?…”