A new nanomaterial or nano-filler in the form of multiwalled carbon nanotube-zinc oxide (MWCNT-ZnO) was synthesized for the purpose of modifying poly(butylene adipate-coterephthalate) (PBAT) and its derivative (modified PBAT or MPBAT) through a melt-blending method (MPBAT was obtained by introducing maleic anhydride groups into PBAT). The effect of the new nano-filler on the properties of resultant nanocomposites was determined from the characterization of mechanical properties, morphology, crystallinity, thermal stability, barrier properties, hydrophilicity, conductivity, antibacterial property, and biodegradability. The results showed that MPBAT nanocomposites had stronger mechanical properties, better barrier properties, and higher electrical conductivity than PBAT nanocomposites. Scanning electron microscopy illustrated that MWCNT-ZnO had better compatibility with MPBAT than with PBAT. At 0.2% MWCNT-ZnO, the MPBAT/MWCNT-ZnO nanocomposite film exhibited the greatest mechanical properties (17.74% increase in tensile strength, 22.17% in yield strength, and 14.29% in elongation at break). When the MWCNT-ZnO content was 0.4%, the nanocomposite film demonstrated the best water vapor barrier ability (an increase of 30.4%). The MPBAT/MWCNT-ZnO film with 0.6% MWCNT-ZnO turned out to have the best oxygen barrier performance (an increase of 130% relative to pure PBAT). It was shown from the results
NanotechnologyNanotechnology 32 (2021) 485706 (17pp)
In this paper, ZnO-decorated graphene (ZnO-graphene)
was added
to poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT)
and maleic anhydride-grafted poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT-g-MAH) to prepare antibacterial
nanocomposites through melt blending. The effect of different amounts
of ZnO-graphene on the properties of the nanocomposite materials was
discussed. The results of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis
showed that PBAT-g-MAH could form coordination reaction
and hydrogen bond with ZnO-graphene, and this synergistically enhanced
the tensile properties of the nanocomposites. With the introduction
of functional groups, the mechanical properties of PBAT-g-MAH/ZnO-graphene nanocomposites were significantly improved. Compared
with pure PBAT, the nanocomposites showed that the maximum tensile
strength, yield strength, and elongation at break increased by 20.58,
17.04, and 7.51%, respectively. This work revealed for the first time
through X-ray diffraction tests the probable mechanism of dispersion
or compatibility in the nanocomposites. Water absorption properties
and water contact angle data proved that the introduction of MAH,
along with the optimal amount of nanofillers, could greatly improve
the tightness of internal and surface structures of the nanocomposites.
Relative to PBAT, the use of PBAT-g-MAH/ZnO-graphene
containing 0.6% nanofillers significantly improved the water vapor
and oxygen barrier efficiencies by 152.8 and 273.5%, respectively.
It was shown from the results of antibacterial evaluation that ZnO-graphene
could impart PBAT and PBAT-g-MAH with excellent antibacterial
activity. Compared with pure PBAT, the nanocomposite films had better
mechanical and barrier properties. Both PBAT and PBAT-g-MAH nanocomposites could decompose naturally in soil, indicating
that they were environmentally friendly and would have great application
prospect in the fields of packaging and medical industries.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.