Synthesis of polystyrene/starch/CNT composite and study on its biodegradability

Abstract

This paper presents the preparation of polystyrene-starch- carbon nanotubes composite by solvent casting technique. Phases present in the samples were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The changes in the functional group of polystyrene after the addition of starch and carbon nanotubes were analyzed through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). An increase in the thermal stability of prepared composite was observed after the addition of starch and carbon nanotubes with respect to pure polystyrene as analyzed by Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Further, addition of starch and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) increases the number of decomposition sites. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed the modifications in surface texture of polystyrene after addition of starch and CNTs. The addition of CNTs gave a conductivity of 9.148 × 10−3 1/Ω cm for polystyrene-starch (35%)-CNT (15%) composite. Biodegradation of the polymer composites after 3 months of soil burial period was analyzed by weight loss, XRD, FTIR, TGA and SEM analysis.