Ramontja J., Ray S.S., Pillai S.K., Luyt A.S.
DST/CSIR Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, National Centre for Nano-Structured Materials, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Chemistry, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Free State, Phuthaditjhaba, South Africa
Ramontja, J., DST/CSIR Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, National Centre for Nano-Structured Materials, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa, Department of Chemistry, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Free State, Phuthaditjhaba, South Africa; Ray, S.S., DST/CSIR Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, National Centre for Nano-Structured Materials, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa; Pillai, S.K., DST/CSIR Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, National Centre for Nano-Structured Materials, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa; Luyt, A.S., Department of Chemistry, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Free State, Phuthaditjhaba, South Africa
The inherent properties of poly(lactide), a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, are concurrently improved by the incorporation of a small amount of surface functionalized carbon nanotubes. A new method has been used to functionalize the CNTs' outer surface with hexadecylamine. A composite of PLA with functionalized CNTs has been prepared by melt-extrusion. FT-IR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, DSC, and optical microscopy are used to investigate the thermal and mechanical property improvement mechanism in f-CNTs containing PLA composite.
Bioplastics; FTIR spectroscopy; Functionalized; Functionalized carbon nanotubes; Hexadecylamine; Melt extrusion; Outer surface; Poly(lactide); Thermal and mechanical properties; Biodegradable polymers; Functional polymers; Mechanical properties; Optical microscopy; Optical properties; Raman spectroscopy; Carbon nanotubes