Abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of carbon nanotubes (CNT) on the antistatic and thermal properties of poly(lactic acid)/polypropylene/carbon nanotubes (PLA/PP/CNT) nanocomposites. PLA/PP (blend ratio = 60:40) containing CNT (loading 1.0 to 2.5 phr) was melt-compounded followed by compression moulding. The antistatic properties of PLA/PP/CNT nanocomposites achieved at 2.5 phr CNT loading. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results indicated that the thermal stability of PLA/PP/ CNT nanocomposite was higher than PLA/PP blend. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) results demonstrated that CNT reduced the cold crystallisation temperature of PLA, while increased the crystallisation temperature of PP, which evidenced the nucleatingability of CNT in the PLA/PP blends.
Highlights
The use of a biopolymer could be a possible solution for the solid waste problem caused by the non-degradable polymeric materials, especially single-use plastics
Interesting to note that the Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/PP/carbon nanotubes (CNT) (60/40/2.5) nanocomposite is categorised as an antistatic material with surface resistivity of 1.90 × 1011 Ω sq−1
Bear in mind that the main focus of this study is to develop PLA/PP/CNT nanocomposite with antistatic properties
Summary
The use of a biopolymer could be a possible solution for the solid waste problem caused by the non-degradable polymeric materials, especially single-use plastics. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a commercial available aliphatic polyester synthesised from renewable resources, e.g., sugarcane and corn starch.[1,2,3,4] PLA exhibits good mechanical properties (high modulus and strength) and transparency. It shows low impact strength, low fracture toughness and slow crystallisation.[5,6,7] Some strategies are applied to improve the properties of PLA, for example, polymer blending, copolymerisation, plasticisation, cross-linking and nanotechnology.[8].
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