Crystallization behavior and mechanical strength of poly(butylene succinate‐co‐ethylene glycol)‐based nanocomposites using functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Biodegradable poly(butylene succinate-co-ethylene glycol) (PBSG)/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites were successfully prepared through physical blending and silication between PBSG and acyl aminopropyltriethoxysilane functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT-APTES). Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra observations revealed that the PBSG chains were covalently attached to the MWCNT-APTES by hydrolysis. PBSG/ MWCNT-APTES nanocomposites after hydrolysis showed excellent interfacial compatibility between PBSG and MWCNT-APTES, which was helpful for the dispersion of MWCNT in the PBSG matrix. The incorporation of MWCNT-APTES accelerated the crystallization of PBSG in the nanocomposites for both approaches of physical blending and hydrolysis due to the heterogeneous nucleation effect of MWCNT while the crystal structure of PBSG was remained. Furthermore, the crystallization rate of PBSG in PBSG/MWCNT-APTES nanocomposites after hydrolysis was slower than that in the nanocomposite by physical blend. The tensile strength and modulus of the nanocomposites increased about 6% and 11% with the addition of only 1 wt% MWCNT-APTES compared with that of neat PBSG, and was larger for the PBSG/MWCNT-APTES nanocomposites after hydrolysis.

Elastomeric nanocomposite scaffolds made from poly(glycerol sebacate) chemically crosslinked with carbon nanotubes

“…59 Hou et al , also showed relatively moderate increase (~132%) in mechanical stiffness of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) due to addition of single-walled and multiwalled CNTs. 50 Other polymers such as poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) 55 , polypropylene (PP) 52 , poly(butylene succinate-co-ethylene glycol) (PBSG) 56 , poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) 57 also showed moderate increase in mechanical properties as shown in Figure 5d. The results reported here (PGS-CNTs) are quite unique as more than 500% modulus of polymeric networks can be enhanced by just the addition of 1% CNTs.…”

“…In subsequent cycle the energy loss was constant for the network. (d) The increase in mechanical stiffness due to addition of CNTs to different polymeric matrix is summarized (PVA 50 , PLGA 51 , PP 52 , PLC 53 , PU 54 , PDMS 55 , PBSG 56 , PHBV 57 , PI 58 , PE 59 , Morthane 60 ). These data has been re-plotted from published reports.…”

Mechanical and electrical properties of the PA6/SWNTs nanofiber yarn by electrospinning

“…Carbon nanotubers (CNTs), owing to their remarkable electrical and mechanical properties, have been extensively investigated, for instance, to be dispersed into insulating polymeric matrices to improve electrical conductivities for applications as strain sensors, transparent electrodes, large-area flexible electronics, etc. [12][13][14][15]. As reported, the tensile strength of single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) could be up to (0.32-1.47 TPa) [16] and the electrical conductivity range from 2 to 17 3 10 7 S m 21 [17], comparing with 6.30 3 10 7 S m 21 for silver-the best metal electric conductor.…”

Synthesis of poly(butylene succinate) using metal catalysts

“…Among the many available renewable polymer materials, poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) constitutes a natural alternative because of its biodegradable properties and good chemical and thermal resistances. Besides, PBS resins also present excellent processability [22,23].…”