Microstructural characterization of corn starch‐based porous thermoplastic composites filled with multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Microstructural characterization of corn starch-based porous thermoplastic (TPS) composites containing various contents (0.1, 0.5, and 1 wt %) of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was performed. Corn starch was plasticized with a proper combination of glycerol and stearic acid. TPS composites with MWCNT were prepared conducting melt extrusion followed by injection molding. TPS containing 1 wt % of MWCNTs exhibited higher tensile strength and elastic modulus values than neat TPS. Moreover, TPS electrical conductivity was determined to increase with increasing content of MWCNTs. X-ray diffraction measurements revealed that incorporation of MWCNTs increased the degree of TPS crsystallinity to some extent. Scanning electron microscopy examination revealed that MWCNT altered TPS surface morphology and tensile failure modes, significantly. Transmission electron microscopy investigation showed that dispersion characteristics of MWCNTs within TPS were in the form of tiny clusters around micro pores of TPS, which is considered influential on electrical conductivity of the resulting composites.

PLA-fMWCNT Bionanofilms with High Modulus and Great Properties to Apply in Packaging and Biomedicine

“…In polymer matrices, usually nanoparticles play a double role: on the one hand, when they are below the percolation concentration act as nucleating agents to enhance the crystallization; on the other hand, when this concentration exceeds, they act as a barrier to retard the crystallization (Xu et al, 2010). According to the literature, carbon nanotubes have a peak at 24 ° (Yurdakul et al, 2013); however, this peak was not observed in our work. This could be due to the low concentration of filler used.…”

Orange peel‐derived pectin jelly and corn starch‐based biocomposite film with layered silicates

“…Biocomposite film gives the peaks at 2θ values of 12.24° and 19.92°. These peaks are characteristic crystalline peaks for thermoplastic starch …”

“…Starch is a natural renewable polysaccharide and exists in the form of fine white granules composed of amylose and amylopectin accompanied by the basic composite unit of glucose. Starch has been cited as one of the most promising renewable source‐based polymers owing to its large scale of availability and low cost . However, especially following aging, starch‐based polymers are sensitive to moisture and becomes brittle compared with typical synthetic polymers.…”

Biodegradable Starch Nanocomposites

“…The additives were added up to 3 % in weight, while water up to 5 % in weight. Yurdakul et al (2013), proposed to mix starch, carbon nanotubes, water and glycerol, gelatinize the obtained suspension and introduce it manually into the extruder. Hietala et al (2013), premixed starch, plasticizer, lubricant, and cellulose nanofiber (C-NF) gels with high water contents and then extruded the obtained dispersions.…”