Vegetable Oil Based Highly Branched Polyester/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Nanocomposites as Advanced Materials

Mesua ferrea Linn seed oil-based highly branched polyester/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposites were prepared using intense mechanical shearing force and ultrasonication. The surface of MWCNTs was modified through an oxidative process using potassium permanganate as the oxidant and cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide as the phase transfer catalyst. Homogeneous dispersion due to good interactions of MWCNTs with the polyester matrix was observed. This is confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction studies. The tensile strength of the nanocomposites was improved by more than 500% by incorporation of only 2 wt% of MWCNTs into the matrix as compared to the pristine system. Significant improvement in thermal stability up to 44 °C of the nanocomposites was found at low MWCNTs loading (2 wt%). Biodegradation of the nanocomposite films was evaluated using two strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PN8A1 and vs1) and one strain of Bacillus subtilis (MTCC73). The nanocomposites exhibited noticeable biodegradability as compared to the pristine polymer. A cytocompatibility test based on hemolysis of red blood cells primarily indicates compatibility of the nanocomposites. The results indicate the potentiality of the nanocomposites as advanced bio-materials.