title: Chitosan nanocomposite films: enhanced electrical conductivity, thermal stability, and mechanical properties.
abstract: A novel, high-performance Fe(3)O(4)/MWNT/Chitosan nanocomposite has been prepared by a simple solution evaporation method. A significant synergistic effect of Fe(3)O(4) and MWNT provided enhanced electrical conductivity, mechanical properties, and thermal stability on the nanocomposites. A 5% (wt) loading of Fe(3)O(4)/MWNT in the nanocomposite increased conductivity from 5.34×10(-5) S/m to 1.49×10(-2) S/m compared to 5% (wt) MWNT loadings. The Fe(3)O(4)/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 °C to 568 °C. These effects resulted from a number of factors: generation of a greater number of conductive channels through interactions between MWNT and Fe(3)O(4) surfaces, a higher relative crystallinity, the antiplasticizing effects of Fe(3)O(4), 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.
authors: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kyung Hee University, 446-701, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors: Jason B
authors: JB
authors: Marroquin
authors: K Y
authors: KY
authors: Rhee
authors: S J
authors: SJ
authors: Park
mesh_terms: D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D048271:Chitosan