Incorporation of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene Nanoplatelets on the Morphology and Properties of Polyethylene Terephthalate Nanocomposites

Abstract

In this work, the interaction effect between polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the morphology and thermal properties of the nanocomposites have been investigated. PET nanocomposites with the incorporation of 0.1 wt% and 0.5 wt% of MWCNTs and GNPs were prepared by the melt compounding and injection moulding method. The presence of MWCNTs and GNPs in the PET matrix was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. MWCNTs and GNPs acted as a nucleating agent which enhanced the crystallization of PET/MWCNT/GNP nanocomposites at both weight percentages. The result obtained from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the incorporation of MWCNTs and GNPs into pure PET improved the thermal stability of the nanocomposites. The nanofillers served as efficient heat sinks which prevent thermal degradation of PET. From the fractured cross-section morphology in field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), the nanofillers displayed good dispersion in the PET matrix. Better dispersion distribution found in 0.1 wt% PET/MWCNTs/GNPs nanocomposites compared to 0.5 wt% PET/MWCNTs/GNPs nanocomposites which favor less mechanical and physical failures like crack, delamination, and agglomeration.

Influence of carbon structures on the properties and photodegradation of LDPE/LLDPE films

“…The film with MWCNTs presented the lowest thermal stability, but higher stability than the reference film without any carbon structure. These results of the films with GNP and MWCNTs are in agreement with those reported by Azman et al 37 where MWCNTs and GNP increased the thermal stability of PET and GNP provides higher thermal stability than MWCNTs. This increased thermo‐degradation stability is attributed to the barrier action of the carbon particles on the volatile thermodegradation products of the polymer.…”

“…The thermo-degradation behavior of our films with different types and contents of carbon particles can also be assumed as a function of the dispersion of the nanoparticles and their shape. 37,38 The particles that presented the best dispersion in polyethylene were CB F I G U R E 7 TGA thermograms of films: (A) 0.05, (B) 0.5, and (C) 2 wt% of carbon structures particles, and the best thermal stability, reaching to protect the polymer up to more than 10 C than the film without carbon structures. In the case of the GPN films, the thermal stability behavior was less efficient than that of the CB films.…”

“…This increased thermo‐degradation stability is attributed to the barrier action of the carbon particles on the volatile thermodegradation products of the polymer. The thermo‐degradation behavior of our films with different types and contents of carbon particles can also be assumed as a function of the dispersion of the nanoparticles and their shape 37,38 . The particles that presented the best dispersion in polyethylene were CB particles, and the best thermal stability, reaching to protect the polymer up to more than 10°C than the film without carbon structures.…”