Characterization and Physical Studies of Poly (vinyl alcohol)/Sodium Alginate/ Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Biocomposites

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt

2 Spectroscopy Department, Physics Division, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt

Abstract

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were added to poly-(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/sodium alginate (SA) bio-blend. PVA/SA was prepared with ratio (80/20) wt%. Different ratios of MWCNTs were added to PVA/SA blend to study the change in its physicochemical properties. The prepared films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Differentierties that are preferably al scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis to confirm the good miscibility of the two biopolymers and the uniform distribution of the MWCNTs. Mechanical properties, thermal stability, morphological properties, and crystallinity of the polymer matrix before and after blending were evaluated. The enhancement of structural and mechanical properties was observed during the addition of MWCNTs. PVA/SA with the optimum concentration of MWCNTs hoped to be suitable for the field of drug delivery and other various medical applications.

Keywords