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

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.