Enhanced interfacial interaction for effective reinforcement of chitosan nanocomposites at different loading of modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes with vitamin C

Abstract

Chitosan-based nanocomposites (NCs) at different modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) loadings were produced by solvent casting method. The effective dispersion of the MWCNT in polymer matrix is an important factor while making its NCs. The MWCNTs intrinsically tend to bundle and/or aggregate. For this reason, the MWCNT is modified to improve the dispersibility when incorporated into polymer matrix. In this study, the MWCNTs were modified with ascorbic acid or vitamin C (VC). The combined effect of MWCNT-VC and chitosan on the structural, crystallinity, interfacial interactions, and mechanical and thermal properties of the obtained NCs was investigated. Scanning electron micrographs showed that in the NC films, MWCNTs were dispersed homogeneously throughout the chitosan matrix. The tensile strength of chitosan film increased significantly with increasing the MWCNT-VC content.