Effect of addition of carbon nanofibers and carbon nanotubes on properties of thermoplastic biopolymers

This paper presents the properties of nano-bio-composites of solvent cast polyhydroxybutyrate-co-valerate (PHBV) and polycaprolactone (PCL) containing carbon nanofiber or carbon nanotubes as a function of filler content. It is found that carbon nanotubes and nanofibers can be used to enhance the conductivity, thermal, mechanical and to enhance gas barrier properties of thermoplastic biopolyesters. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.