Nanocomposites based on poly- d, l-lactide and multiwall carbon nanotubes

• Published in: Biomolecular engineering 2007-02, Vol.24 (1), p.93-95
• Main Authors: Krul, L.P., Volozhyn, A.I., Belov, D.A., Poloiko, N.A., Artushkevich, A.S., Zhdanok, S.A., Solntsev, A.P., Krauklis, A.V., Zhukova, I.A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Materials Testing; Multiwall carbon nanotubes; Nanocomposites; Nanotubes, Carbon - chemistry; Nanotubes, Carbon - ultrastructure; Particle Size; Polyesters - chemistry; Polylactides; Temperature
• ISSN: 1389-0344; 1878-559X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bioeng.2006.05.021

A possibility of poly- d, l-lactide modification by multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) has been shown. MWCNT were prepared from methane-air mixture upon atmospheric pressure without catalyst on high voltage atmospheric pressure discharge plasma set-up. According to scanning and transmission electronic microscope data carbon nanotubes diameters were within 12–60 nm. Quantities of MWCNT incorporated did not exceed 0.5%. Nanocomposites were obtained by sonification of mixture of a poly- d, l-lactide solution in chloroform and MWCNT followed by film casting on glass substrates. Tensile strength and thermomechanical properties of the dried composite films were investigated. Introduction of MWCNT into poly- d, l-lactide has been shown to cause the enhanced polymer stability to thermal oxidative destruction. Taking into account the results obtained one could anticipate that implants from nanocomposites of poly- d, l-lactide with MWCNT would be dispersed in a living organism more slowly as compared to implants from pure poly- d, l-lactide without additives.