Preparation And Properties Of Poly(Butylene Succinate)/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Composites

In this work,nanocomposites based on poly(butylene succinate)(PBSU) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes(MWNTs) were prepared through both melt and solution compounding methods.The relation between structure and property were studied in detail so as to improve its property and further expand its application areas.The main work is as follows:1.PBSU/functional multi-walled carbon nanotubes(f-MWNTs) was prepared via melt compounding method using a Brabender twin-screw mixer. The dispersion of f-MWNTs in the PBSU matrix was first studied by scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM). Nonisothermal crystallization behavior,crystallization morphology and thermal stability were also studied by differential scanning calorimeter(DSC), hot stage polarizing microscope(POM) and thermal gravimetric(TG).POM result shows an notable smaller spherulite with the addition of f-MWNTs.The subsequent melting behavior after the nonisothermal crystallization was studied by DSC and modulated DSC(TMDSC) as well.The TG results indicate an improvement in thermal stability of PBSU in the nanocomposite. 2.PBSU/MWNTs nanocomposites at low MWNTs loadings were prepared successfully through solution casting method.SEM and TEM results observed a homogeneous dispersion of f-MWNTs throughout the PBSU matrix while some agglomeration was also found for the unmodified MWNTs. The crystallization rate of PBSU is markedly enhanced while the crystallization mechanism remains almost unchanged in the nanocomposites. POM result reveals an obvious smaller spherulite for the nanocomposites while the crystal structure of PBSU in the nanocomposites is not changed as evidenced by the WAXD result.Tensile test result shows a moderate increase in tensile modulus while a little decrease in elongation at break.Dynamic mechanical analysis(DMA) shows a significant improvement in the storage modulus as compared to that of neat PBSU.The hydrolytic degradation process of PBSU and its nanocomposites at 37℃show one step degradation. More interesting,the hydrolytic degradation rate is faster in the nanocomposites than that in neat PBSU.