Chitosan nanocomposite films: Enhanced electrical conductivity, thermal stability, and mechanical properties

A novel, high-performance Fe₃O₄/MWNT/Chitosan nanocomposite has been prepared by a simple solution evaporation method. A significant synergistic effect of Fe₃O₄ and MWNT provided enhanced electrical conductivity, mechanical properties, and thermal stability on the nanocomposites. A 5% (wt) loading of Fe₃O₄/MWNT in the nanocomposite increased conductivity from 5.34 × 10^-5 S/m to 1.49 × 10^-2 S/m compared to 5% (wt) MWNT loadings. The Fe₃O₄/MWNT/Chitosan films also exhibited increases in tensile strength and modulus of 70% and 155%, respectively. The integral procedure decomposition temperature (IPDT) was enhanced from 501 °C to 568 °C. These effects resulted from a number of factors: generation of a greater number of conductive channels through interactions between MWNT and Fe ₃O₄ surfaces, a higher relative crystallinity, the antiplasticizing effects of Fe₃O₄, a restricted mobility and hindrance of depolymerization of the Chitosan chain segments, as well as uniform distribution, improved dispersion, and strong interfacial adhesion between the MWNT and Chitosan matrix.