Biobased Poly(1,3-propylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate)-Carbon Nanotubes Nanocomposites with Enhanced Thermal, Mechanical Properties and Crystallization Behavior

Biobased poly(1,3-propylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PPF) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanocomposites were prepared by a solution and coagulation method at low CNTs loadings of 0.5 to 2 wt% in this research. The morphology, thermal stability, dynamic mechanical property, and crystallization behavior of PPF-CNTs nanocomposites were investigated in detail. CNTs dispersed well in PPF matrix. The incorporation of CNTs slightly increased the thermal stability while remarkably improved the storage modulus of PPF in the nanocomposites. CNTs not only promoted the melt crystallization behavior at a constant cooling rate but also increased the isothermal crystallization rate at the same crystallization temperature as the nucleating agent. The crystallization mechanism of PPF was not modified by CNTs.