Chitosan nanocomposite films: enhanced electrical conductivity, thermal stability, and mechanical properties

Carbohydr Polym. 2013 Feb 15;92(2):1783-91. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2012.11.042. Epub 2012 Nov 23.

Abstract

A novel, high-performance Fe(3)O(4)/MWNT/Chitosan nanocomposite has been prepared by a simple solution evaporation method. A significant synergistic effect of Fe(3)O(4) and MWNT provided enhanced electrical conductivity, mechanical properties, and thermal stability on the nanocomposites. A 5% (wt) loading of Fe(3)O(4)/MWNT in the nanocomposite increased conductivity from 5.34×10(-5) S/m to 1.49×10(-2) S/m compared to 5% (wt) MWNT loadings. The Fe(3)O(4)/MWNT/Chitosan films also exhibited increases in tensile strength and modulus of 70% and 155%, respectively. The integral procedure decomposition temperature (IPDT) was enhanced from 501 °C to 568 °C. These effects resulted from a number of factors: generation of a greater number of conductive channels through interactions between MWNT and Fe(3)O(4) surfaces, a higher relative crystallinity, the antiplasticizing effects of Fe(3)O(4), a restricted mobility and hindrance of depolymerization of the Chitosan chain segments, as well as uniform distribution, improved dispersion, and strong interfacial adhesion between the MWNT and Chitosan matrix.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chitosan / chemistry*
  • Electric Conductivity*
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Mechanical Phenomena*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Nanocomposites / chemistry*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Temperature*
  • Tensile Strength

Substances

  • Magnetite Nanoparticles
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Chitosan