Physical and Mechanical Properties of Palm Kernel Oil-Based Polyester Polyurethane/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Composites

Abstract

In this study, polyurethane (PU) films from palm ke rn l oil-based polyester (PKO-p) incorporated multi -walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) are prepared via a evaporative casting method. Nanoparticle fluid d ispersions containing 0.02%, 0.03%, and 0.05% wt. of MWNTs are added into PKO-p based resin and mixed by digital probe sonicator fo r 30 min followed by mixing with isocyanate to produce PU-MW NTs composite films. The mechanical properties, swe lling, water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) and conductiv ity of the PU-MWNTs composite films are examined. R esults show that the toughness (T) or flexibility, the ten sile strength (TS), and Young’s modulus (YM) values of PU-MWNTs composite films increase with the increasing concen trations of MWNT. In contrast, the water vapour tra nsmission rate (WVTR) and swelling test of PU-MWNTs composite film s decrease with the increase of MWNT concentrations . For conductivity testing, the film with 0.05 wt.% MWNT (PU-5) has the highest conductivity value at 2.19 x 10 S cm. In summary, incorporation of MWNTs has improved the me chanical properties of the polyurethane composites film .