| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1524628 | Materials Chemistry and Physics | 2011 | 7 Pages |
Carbon nanotube-based nanocomposites of chitosan were successfully prepared by a simple solution-evaporation method. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were treated by poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate)(PEDOT-PSS) in water before mixed with a chitosan solution to improve the dispersion of MWCNTs and interfacial compatibility between MWCNTs and chitosan. The morphological and mechanical properties of the prepared PEDOT-PSS/MWCNT/chitosan nanocomposites have been characterized with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and tensile tests. MWCNTs were observed to be homogeneously dispersed throughout the chitosan matrix. As compared with the neat chitosan, the tensile strength and modulus of the nanocomposite were greatly improved by about 61% and 34%, respectively, with incorporation of only 0.5 wt.% of MWCNTs into the chitosan matrix. The comparison of mechanical properties for PEDOT-PSS/MWCNT/chitosan and pristine MWCNT/chitosan nanocomposites has been made. The hardness of the nanocomposites was also evaluated by nanoindentation.
► Chitosan-based nanocomposites prepared from PEDOT-PSS treated MWCNTs. ► PEDOT-PSS served as a bridge to improve the dispersion of MWCNTs and interfacial compatibility between MWCNTs and chitosan. ► The mechanical properties of chitosan were significantly improved by PEDOT-PSS treated MWCNTs at a small loading.
