Poly(amino acid)/carbon nanotube nanocomposites with enhanced thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties

Poly(amino acid) (PAA)‐based nanocomposites were synthesized by in situ melting polycondensation with various carbon nanotube (CNT) loadings; the morphology, thermal, mechanical, electrical, and biocompatible properties of the resulting nanocomposites were investigated and characterized. The nanotubes were dispersed within the polymer matrix without the need for coupling agents or surfactants. The crystallization temperature showed a gradual rise with increasing CNT loading, confirming that the nanotubes act as nucleating agents for PAA crystallization. The nanotubes increased the thermal stability of the matrix, leading to an increase in the initial degradation temperature (T_i) and the maximum degradation temperature (T_m). The mechanical properties were gradually enhanced by increasing the CNT content except for the property of elongation at break, which showed its highest value at 1 wt% CNT content. The nanocomposites showed better electrical and biocompatible properties than CNT‐free PAA, suggesting that the incorporation of CNTs is effective for improving the PAA performance, and the nanocomposites are suitable as performance materials for the manufacture of medical apparatus. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E1939–E1949, 2018. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers