Effect of SWCNT Filler on Mechanical Properties and Electrical Conductivity of PVA/CS/GA/SWCNT Nanocomposite Thin Film

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effect of SWCNT nanofiller on mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of PVA/CS/GA nanocomposite film. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and chitosan (CS) are used as polymer matrix that crosslinked by glutaraldehyde (GA). Nanofiller SWCNT was inserted in a polymer composite matrix at different composition. The thin films were characterized using FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), XRD (X-ray diffraction), SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), TG/DTA (Thermal Gravimetric/Differential Thermal Analysis), sheet resistance, and tensile strength measurements. The results revealed that the addition of SWCNT notably increased the electrical conductivity of composite film from 1.2 x 10‒4 S.cm‒1 to 9 x10‒3 S cm‒1 as well as tensile strength and elongation 43 MPa to 62 MPa, 68% to 84%, respectively. The cross-sectional SEM images indicated that the conductive thin films have a layered structure where the insertion of SWCNT did not change their morphological structure significantly. Additionally, SWCNT improved the thermal stability of PVA/CS/GA nanocomposites thin film. These finding can be promising for the development of optoelectronic devices i.e. photovoltaic, emitting diodes, etc.