Reinforcement of Biodegradable PLA-PVA Composite Films with Carbon Nanotubes: Mechanical and Thermal Property Analysis
Jhalok Hossain
*
Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering, Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, Dhaka, 1208, Bangladesh.
Md. Mazedul Haque Sachchu
*
Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Islamic University, Kushtia, 7003, Bangladesh and Department of Environment and Chemical Management, Epyllion Knitwears Ltd-HW, Madanpur, Bandar, Narayanganj, 1411, Bangladesh.
Shanawaz Ahmed
Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Islamic University, Kushtia, 7003, Bangladesh.
Sumaiya Islam Sadia
Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Islamic University, Kushtia, 7003, Bangladesh.
Md. Khalid Hossain Shishir
Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Islamic University, Kushtia, 7003, Bangladesh.
Nafis Rahman Sayeem
Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Islamic University, Kushtia, 7003, Bangladesh.
Upoma Podder
Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Islamic University, Kushtia, 7003, Bangladesh.
Ashifa Israt
Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Islamic University, Kushtia, 7003, Bangladesh.
Aliza Rahman
Department of Chemistry, Pabna University of Science and Technology (PUST), Pabna, 6600, Bangladesh.
Natasha Nafisa Haque
BCSIR Dhaka Laboratories, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhaka, 1205, Bangladesh.
Fahim Khandokar Anik
Department of Chemistry, Govt. Tolaram College, Narayanganj, Narayanganj, 1400, Bangladesh.
Md. Ashraful Alam
*
Institute of Glass and Ceramic Research and Testing (IGCRT), Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhaka, 1205, Bangladesh.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This research aims to investigate the properties of a novel packaging material composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films with treated carbon nanotube (CNT) mix, stacked with poly lactic acid (PLA) films. The PVA-CNT mix was prepared by treating the CNTs with a silane coupling agent, which improved the dispersion and compatibility of the CNTs in the PVA matrix. The PVA-CNT films were then stacked with PLA films to form a multilayered structure. The mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties of the PVA-CNT/PLA film were characterized using various analytical techniques. The results showed that the PVA-CNT mix improved the mechanical strength and thermal stability of the PVA film. The tensile strength of CNT reinforced film obtained 14.16 N/mm2 and shows higher TEAR Force 3.37 N as well as without treat showed 3.37 N/mm2 and 3.03 N. In TGA analysis, maximum degradation temperature 348.70 0C and weight loss was recorded 59.90 %. CNT mixed film has the maximum DTG 1.435 mg/min at 350.0 0C. This manuscript presents a new step in the field of sustainable materials to develop high-performance, biodegradable packaging solutions. By incorporating processed carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and poly-lactic acid (PLA), they achieve significant improvements in mechanical strength, thermal stability, and barrier.
Keywords: Carbon nanotubes, MWCNT film, packaging material, poly-lactic acid, poly-vinyl alcohol, reinforcement