Chitosan nanocomposite films: Enhanced electrical conductivity, thermal stability, and mechanical properties

A novel, high-performance Fe3O4/MWNT/Chitosan nanocomposite has been prepared by a simple solution evaporation method. A significant synergistic effect of Fe3O4 and MWNT provided enhanced electrical conductivity, mechanical properties, and thermal stability on the nanocomposites. A 5% (wt) loading of Fe3O4/MWNT in the nanocomposite increased conductivity from 5.34 x 10(-5) S/m to 1.49 x 10(-2) S/m compared to 5% (wt) MWNT loadings. The Fe3O4/MWNT/Chitosan films also exhibited increases in tensile strength and modulus of 70% and 155%, respectively. The integral procedure decomposition temperature (IPDT) was enhanced from 501 degrees C to 568 degrees C. These effects resulted from a number of factors: generation of a greater number of conductive channels through interactions between MWNT and Fe3O4 surfaces, a higher relative crystallinity, the antiplasticizing effects of Fe3O4, a restricted mobility and hindrance of depolymerization of the Chitosan chain segments, as well as uniform distribution, improved dispersion, and strong interfacial adhesion between the MWNT and Chitosan matrix. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.