Influence of rubber content on mechanical, thermal, and morphological behavior of natural rubber toughened poly(lactic acid)–multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposites. Issue 48 (30th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mat Desa, Mohd Shaiful Zaidi; Hassan, Azman; Arsad, Agus; Arjmandi, Reza; Mohammad, Nor Nisa Balqis
• Is Part Of: Journal of applied polymer science. Volume 133:Issue 48(2016)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2016-08-30
• Subjects: biopolymers & renewable polymers -- graphene and fullerenes -- mechanical properties -- nanotubes -- rubber -- thermal properties; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; 668.9
• DOI: 10.1002/app.44344
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8995

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The effects of natural rubber (NR) on the mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of multiwalled carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanocomposites prepared by melt blending were investigated. A PLA/NR blend and PLA/CNT nanocomposites were also produced for comparison. The tensile strength and Young's modulus of PLA/CNT nanocomposites improved significantly, whereas the impact strength decreased compared to neat PLA. The incorporation of NR into PLA/CNT significantly improved the impact strength and elongation at break of the nanocomposites, which showed approximately 200% and 850% increases at 20 wt % NR, respectively. However, the tensile strength and Young's modulus of PLA/NR/CNT nanocomposites decreased compared to PLA/CNT nanocomposites. The morphology analysis showed the homogeneous dispersion of NR particles in PLA/NR/CNT nanocomposites, while CNTs preferentially reside in the NR phase rather than the PLA matrix. In addition, the incorporation of NR into PLA/CNT lowered the thermal stability and glass‐transition temperature of the nanocomposites. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2016, 133, 44344. Abstract :