Biodegradable PLA nanocomposites: enhancing the optical response with multi-walled carbon nanotubes

RIBBA, LAURA; DIAZ COSTANZO, GUADALUPE; LEDESMA, SILVIA; GOYANES SILVIA

Bogota

Congreso; XIII Simposio Latinoamericano de Polímeros ? SLAP 2012; 2012

SLAP2012

Lately there has been a strong demand in the field of biodegradable polymer composites for a wide range of applications. In this work, optical and electric properties in a 98% biodegradable poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanocomposite containing very low amounts of carbon nanotubes and an azo dye is reported. The addition of Disperse Orange 3 in the nanocomposites not only helps dispersing the carbon nanotubes but also enhances the optical response of the nanocomposites. Also, PLA nanocomposites with a MWCNT content as low as 0.3 wt % allowed to achieve electrical conductivity of the order of 1.6 x 10-1 S·m-1. The electrical conductivity in the nanocomposite varies with the MWCNT content. Both electrical and optical properties in these PLA composites could lead to novel materials for future development of biodegradable electro-optical sensors.