Development and characterization of novel polylactide and polyethylene nanocomposites

This thesis examines the development and characterization of novel Polylactide (PLA) and Polyethylene (PE) nanocomposites. PLA and PE nanocomposites were fabricated using Multiwall Carbon Nanotube (MWNT) and Chitin Nanowhiskers (nC) as the reinforcing phase. Various processes were used to produce such nanocomposites including melt blending. two-stage batch foaming and solvent casting. The resulting composite and porous composite morphology and the influence of reinforcing phase were studied using an assortment of characterization methods. The results of this research can be summarized in three major findings: (1) MWNTs can impart PE with significant improvements in mechanical and electrical properties as they were found to be uniformly dispersed in the polymer (2) Solvent based processes were more effective than melt blending in dispersing MWNT in PLA, with greater improvements observed in the electrical and mechanical properties, and (3) Chitin nanowhiskers are an effective all natural reinforcement for PLA, with improvements observed in composite stiffness and porous composite morphology.