The composites based on plasticized starch and carbon nanotubes

In this study, the nanocomposite films based on plasticized starch and modified-carbon nanotubes were prepared using a simple casting method. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were oxidized to prepare CNT oxide (OCNT) by Hummer's method, and OCNTs were reduced by glucose to obtain reduced CNT (RCNT). The thermogravimetric (TG) curves revealed that OCNTs and RCNTs contained about 15 and 8 wt% oxygen-containing groups, respectively. The UV-vis spectra proved that CNTs with the aid of the dispersant TNWDIS, OCNTs and RCNTs possessed the good stability in water. As the fillers, CNTs, OCNTs and RCNTs were introduced into plasticized-starch (PS) matrix to obtain the composites. They had the obvious reinforcing effect on PS matrix. The composites containing 4 wt% RCNT had the maximum tensile strength of 19.5 MPa, in contrast to 3.89 MPa of PS. Among of them, PS/CNT composites showed the best moisture resistance. And the PS-based CNT, OCNT and RCNT composites exhibited approximate electrical conductivities. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.