Nanocomposite of poly(L-lactic acid) with inorganic nanotubes of WS 2

Hila Shalom, Xiao Meng Sui, Olga Elianov, Vlad Brumfeld, Rita Rosentsveig, Iddo Pinkas, Yishay Feldman, Nir Kampf, H. D. Wagner, Noa Lachman, Reshef Tenne

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12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Composites of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) reinforced by adding inorganic nanotubes of tungsten disulfide (INT-WS 2 ) were prepared by solvent casting. In addition to the pristine nanotubes, PLLA nanocomposites containing surface modified nanotubes were studied as well. Several surface-active agents, including polyethylene imine (PEI),were studied in this context. In addition, other biocompatible polymers, like poly D,L-lactic acid (PDLLA) and others were considered in combination with the INT-WS 2 . The nanotubes were added to the polymer in different proportions up to 3 wt %. The dispersion of the nanotubes in the nanocomposites were analyzed by several techniques, including X-ray tomography microscopy (Micro-XCT). Moreover, high-temperature rheological measurements of the molten polymer were conducted. In contrast to other nanoparticles, which lead to a considerable increase of the viscosity of the molten polymer, the WS 2 nanotubes did not affect the viscosity significantly. They did not affect the complex viscosity of the molten PLLA phase, either. The mechanical and tribological properties of the nanocomposites were found to improve considerably by adding the nanotubes. A direct correlation was observed between the dispersion of the nanotubes in the polymer matrix and its mechanical properties.

Original languageEnglish
Article number28
JournalLubricants
Volume7
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 by the authors.

Keywords

  • Inorganic nanotubes
  • PLLA
  • Solid lubricants

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