Experimental investigation on mechanical properties of nanocomposites based on poly lactic acid/ polyolefin elastomer reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and graphene nanoplatelets

The mechanical properties of nanocomposites based on poly lactic acid/polyolefin elastomer (PLA/POE) were investigated. The compounds were made using an internal mixer. POE in two levels at 10–20 wt.% and nano fillers, including multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and graphene nano-platelets (GnPs) in 1, 2, and 3 wt.% levels, were added to the PLA. Impact and tensile tests were conducted to extract the impact and tensile properties, respectively. The dispersion quality of the fillers was also studied by using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images. The FESEM images demonstrated that the MWCNT at all levels were well distributed in different orientations, while the GnPs accumulated into the PLA/POE matrix. The simultaneous presence of nano fillers was dispersed with high quality in the matrix only in low loading. The tensile test results showed that by increasing the nano fillers individually and in a hybrid form in the presence of different loadings of POE, Young’s modulus and T-strength were improved, but impact strength and deformation at break were decreased. The addition of the POE to the PLA matrix significantly increased the impact strength and deformation at break by 128% and 75%, respectively, and the presence of POE reduced Young’s modulus and T-strength of the PLA matrix.