Toughness Enhancement of Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) Nanocomposites by Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes (MWNT)

The nanocomposites of PMMA/PHBV filled by MWNT were fabricated by melt blending. The effects of the weight fraction of MWNT on the flow and mechanical properties of the PMMA/PHBV nanocomposites were investigated. The morphologies of fracture surfaces were characterized through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The impact test results show that the incorporation of 1.5 weight fraction of MWNT increased the impact strength by 42.4%. The flow property and bending strength increased 40.7% and 11%, respectively, by compounding 1.5 weight fraction of MWNT. The morphological behavior indicated transition of fracture surface from brittle nature to ductile. These improved mechanical properties of PMMA/PHBV nanocomposites using MWNT will lead to wider and enhanced applicability of PMMA/PHBV.