Development and Characterization of Sustainable Mater‐Bi‐Based Hybrid Biocomposites Containing Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Organically Modified Montmorillonite

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to develop and investigate hybrid biodegradable composites for applications in the packaging sector. Composites containing different volumes of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and organically modified montmorillonite (MMT) were prepared. For the matrix, a commercially available plastic Mater‐Bi EF51L (MB) was selected. The study is concentrated on the mechanical, morphological, thermal, electrical and processing properties of Mater‐Bi‐based hybrid composites; furthermore the biodegradation and gas and water vapor permeability were also investigated. Water vapor transmission rate was the most reduced from 30.65 (matrix) to 19.125 (MB + 3% MWCNT) [g/(m 2 24 h)]. Composites were prepared via melt mixing. The electrical resistivity was decreased by eight orders of magnitude (for the MWCNT composite). Young's modulus increased from 224.92 to 275.33 and 445.85 MPa, while the elongation at break was decreased to 333.25% and 263.24% for MWCNT and MMT respectively. The complex viscosity of the unmodified MB increased from 81.1 to 103, and to 93 Pa s by the addition of 6% MMT and 6% MWCNT respectively; in the case of hybrid fillers maximum viscosity increase was observed for MB + 1.5% MWCNT+4.5% MMT composite of 160 Pa s. The findings emphasize the influence of the hybrid reinforcement in improving the composites' properties.