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Abstract
Biodegradable poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthlate) (PBAT) nanocomposites with multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWNT) were prepared by using a laboratory-scale twin-screw extruder. The effects of the MWNT-reinforcements on their thermal and mechanical properties were examined by various techniques such as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and a universal testing machine (UTM). In addition, the morphology of the as-synthesized PBAT/MWNT nanocomposites was investigated by both scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). To compare the physical characteristics of the polymer nanocomposites with those of the pure polymer, samples with various ratios of MWNT in the PBAT matrix were prepared. Rheological properties of the PBAT/MWNT nanocomposites were investigated using a rotational rheometer in a steady shear mode. The steady shear viscosity increased with the MWNT loading, and the shear thinning viscosity data were fitted well with the power law model. Furthermore, UTM, DMA and TGA tests showed that both mechanical and thermal properties were improved by adding MWNT. In particular, the tensile strength and thermal stability of biopolymer/MWNT nanocomposite increased with increasing MWNT contents. These results indicated that filler-polymer interaction is important and the role of the MWNT as a reinforcement in the nanocomposites was evident.
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Acknowledgment
This work was supported by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, Korea (2009).
