Morphology, crystallization and mechanical properties of biodegradable poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene carbonate)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposites

Abstract

Biodegradable poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene carbonate) (PBSC)/carboxyl-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) nanocomposites were prepared through a solution and casting method at low f-MWCNTs loadings. Scanning electron microscopy observations revealed a fine dispersion of f-MWCNTs in the PBSC matrix. Both the nonisothermal and isothermal melt crystallization processes of PBSC were enhanced, apparently by the presence of f-MWCNTs in the nanocomposites, because f-MWCNTs acted as an efficient heterogeneous nucleation agent for the crystallization of PBSC. The crystallization mechanism remained unchanged for both neat PBSC and the PBSC/f-MWCNTs nanocomposites, regardless of crystallization temperature; moreover, the crystal structures of PBSC were not modified by f-MWCNTs in the nanocomposites. The dynamical mechanical properties were also improved in the nanocomposites. Upon incorporating only 1 wt% of f-MWCNTs, the storage modulus of PBSC improved by about 30% at −60 °C. In addition, the glass transition temperature values of PBSC were increased slightly in the nanocomposites, relative to that of neat PBSC. Open image in new window