Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Chitosan / Mimosa Tenuiflora / Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Composite Developed by Thermally Induced Phase Separation

摘要

The inclusion of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) into polymeric matrices is expected to improve their mechanical and thermal properties. In this work, biodegradable composites of chitosan/mimosa tenuiflora/multiwalled carbon nanotubes have been prepared through thermally induced phase separation method, in order to evaluate their thermal and mechanical properties for applications in tissue engineering. Different compositions were analyzed. Variation in porous morphology of the scaffold was studied using a field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The morphology of the composites developed indicates a highly interconnected porous structure with a diameter from 1-100 μm. Presence of MWCNT improves the thermal stability and mechanical properties of the chitosan/mimosa tenuiflora scaffold. The results from IR, TGA, DSC and mechanical properties suggest that there is a chemical interaction between the constituents of the composite.