Crystallization behavior and mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid) complex fiber toughened by carbon nanotube nanocapsules. Issue 14 (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Shu-qiang; Wu, Gai-hong; Xiao, Yun-chao; Guo, Hong-xia; Shao, Fen-juan
• Is Part Of: Textile research journal. Volume 88:Issue 14(2018)
• Page Start: 1616
• Page End: 1627
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: crystallization -- mechanics -- poly(lactic acid) complex fiber -- nanocapsules; Textile industry -- Periodicals; Textile fabrics -- Periodicals; Textile research -- Periodicals; Textiles et tissus -- Industrie et commerce -- Périodiques; Textiles et tissus -- Périodiques; Textiles et tissus -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 677.005
• DOI: 10.1177/0040517517705629
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0040-5175

Abstract

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) fiber, owing to its biocompatibility and biodegradability, could be widely used in many related industrial areas. However, high brittleness has been the main obstacle to expanding its applications. So in this paper, carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocapsules were designed to toughen PLA and further reported their effect on the crystallization behavior and mechanical properties of PLA complex fiber. These designed CNT nanocapsules successfully solved the agglomeration of CNTs within the PLA matrix as well as the compatibility issue. In addition, the morphological, mechanical, optical and thermal properties of PLA complex fibers were also studied. The addition of CNT nanocapsules obviously improved the crystallization behavior of PLA fiber. Furthermore, compared with pure PLA, the tensile strength of PLA complex fiber was enhanced by 30.62% and the elongation by 32.2%, so the designed CNT nanocapsules could be used as a toughener for PLA fiber. This research benefits the extension of PLA applications where toughness is an important factor.