Highly Stiff, Strong and Super Tough Nanocomposite, Blends and Hybrids of TOPAS with Few Layer Graphene and Cellulose Acetate for Degradable Packaging

Abstract

In this study the nanocomposite, blends and hybrid of TOPAS with cellulose acetate (CA) and few layer graphene (FLGs) has been prepared successfully by solution casting method using chloroform as a mutual solvent. All the samples are characterized by using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, universal tensile testing machine and antimicrobial resistance test techniques. For TOPAS/CA Blend system, XRD peaks showed no change as TOPAS and CA both are amorphous in nature. However, by adding FLGs into the TOPAS and TOPAS/CA blends, characteristic peak of graphitic structure appears at 26.5o and the intensity of the peak increases with increasing FLG concentration. SEM micrograph showed that CA and FLGs are dispersed uniformly in TOPAS matrix. Tensile strength and tensile modulus are enhanced significantly as compared to pure TOPAS. For TOPAS/FLG nanocomposite, TOPAS/CA blends and TOPAS/CA/FLG hybrids, maximum tensile strength is increased upto 160%, 150% and 150% respectively while enhancement in modulus was achieved upto 84%, 90% and 17%, respectively. Also due to chains alignment elongation at break was improved which was increased upto 110, 80 and 118 times respectively making the system super-tough with enhanced strength and stiffness. Anti-bacterial resistance is determined by using AATCC-147 (modified) standard while anti-fungal resistance is determined by using ASTM G-21. Nanocomposites, Blends and Hybrid of TOPAS showed resistance against all strains of bacteria and fungus used in study making it a promising system for packaging.