Properties and mechanism of antistatic biodegradable polylactic acid/multi-walled carbon nanotube composites

摘要

In this study, antistatic biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (PLA/MWCNT) composites were prepared by the melt-blending of MWCNT with PLA. The conductive, mechanical, thermal properties and microstructure of the PLA/MWCNT composites were investigated. Results revealed that with the loading of 1.0 to 1.5?wt% of MWCNT, the tensile strength, elongation at break, and crystallinity of the composites slightly increase, followed by a downward trend with the further increase in the loading amount of MWCNT. With the increase in the MWCNT loading amount to 3.0%, the volume resistivity and surface resistivity of the composites were reduced by nine orders of magnitude. According to the internal microstructure of PLA/MWCNT, by the loading of 1.5?wt% of MWCNT, the MWCNT formed a conductive network in the composite matrix, reaching the percolation threshold. The new composties can be applicated in medical protective clothing for protecting the electronic instrument.