Sustainable and Antistatic Nanocomposites Based on Poly(Lactic Acid) (
PLA
): Effect of the Green Plasticizer and Plasma‐Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes
Flávio Urbano da Silva, Carlos Bruno Barreto Luna, Eduardo da Silva Barbosa Ferreira, Fabiano Santana da Silva, Valmar da Silva Severiano Sobrinho, Thércio Henrique de Carvalho Costa, Renate Maria Ramos Wellen, Edcleide Maria Araújo ABSTRACT
Conductive and sustainable polymer nanocomposites combine functional performance with environmental responsibility. In this study, flexible and sustainable nanocomposites based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA), epoxidized soybean oil (ESO), and carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), before and after oxygen plasma functionalization (MWCNTf), were developed by means of extrusion and injection molding. The addition of ESO to PLA resulted in increases of 94.4% in impact strength and 1362.4% in elongation at break relative to neat PLA, imparting a more flexible behavior to the material at room temperature and favoring the production of ductile nanocomposites. ESO interacted with both PLA and MWCNTf, resulting in an increased torque rheometry curve. Consequently, the PLA/ESO/MWCNTf nanocomposite exhibited enhanced properties compared with the PLA/ESO/MWCNT system (without plasma treatment), including increases of 11.7% in impact strength, 7.4% in tensile modulus, 9.3% in tensile strength, 12.1% in elongation at break, and 48.5% in electrical conductivity. Furthermore, plasma functionalization contributed to promoting interactions among PLA, ESO, and MWCNTf, resulting in a better distribution of the carbon nanotubes in the PLA/ESO/MWCNTf nanocomposite, leading to a more stable morphology and increased thermal stability compared with PLA/ESO/MWCNT. The results indicate the technological potential of the PLA/ESO/MWCNTf nanocomposite for a probable antistatic application, contributing to the advancement of functional materials that combine technical performance with environmental sustainability.