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Sisal fiber (SF)‐reinforced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) biocomposites were prepared from biodegradable PLA and surface‐untreated or ‐treated short SF by melt mixing and subsequent compression molding. It is found that the surface treatments facilitate good adhesion between SFs and PLA matrix, which is consistent with the higher mechanical properties of the treated‐SF/PLA biocomposites. Moreover, the surface treatments have similar effects on the biodegradability and water absorption of the biocomposites with the order as following: neat PLA < acetylated SF (A‐SF)/PLA biocomposite ≈ silane‐treated SF (S‐SF)/PLA biocomposite < permanganate‐treated SF (P‐SF)/PLA biocomposite < mercerized SF (M‐SF)/PLA biocomposite < untreated fiber (U‐SF)/PLA biocomposite. In terms of overall consideration of the properties, acetylation treatment seems to be the most desirable surface method owing to the maximum tensile strength and water resistance, medium impact strength, and minimum degradability of the A‐SF/PLA biocomposite. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers

Conducting nanocomposites of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) were prepared by solution blending. Electrical properties of the nanocomposites were characterized by means of electrical conductivity measurements and the phase structures were investigated via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) and dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA). This study unveiled a remarkable, interpenetrating network of chainlike nano-ATO within the PAN matrix, consistent with the existence of connected conducting paths at content as low as 4 wt% of the nano-ATO. The storage modulus of the nanocomposites increased with increasing content of ATO, due to formation of immobilized layer between polymer and filler. The interactions between ATO and PAN molecules resulted in high tan δ for the PAN/ATO nanocomposites. Thermal stability of the nanocomposites was found remarkably enhanced by the incorporation of nano-ATO.