Influence of Carbon Nanotube on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Vetiver Root Fiber-Reinforced Bioplastic Composites
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Development of sustainable bio-based materials from agricultural by-products represents a critical direction for addressing environmental challenges while supporting circular economy initiatives. This research investigates the influence of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the physical and mechanical properties of vetiver root fiber-reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) bio composites. A composite formulation with a 90:10 ratio of PLA to vetiver root fibers was prepared with varying concentrations of CNTs (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10% by weight). Control samples of pure PLA, PLA with vetiver fibers only, and PLA with CNTs only were also fabricated for comparative analysis. The samples were characterized by tensile strength, flexural strength, density, water absorption, thickness swelling, and thermal stability. Results revealed that pure PLA exhibited the highest tensile strength (10.37±0.88 MPa), which decreased with increasing CNT content, reaching a minimum at 6% CNTs before slightly recovering at higher concentrations. This behavior was attributed to CNT agglomeration and interfacial incompatibility between hydrophobic CNTs and hydrophilic natural fibers. Similarly, flexural properties followed comparable trends, with lowest values at 6% CNTs. Physical properties showed that density increased with CNT content, while water absorption and thickness swelling peaked at 6% CNTs before decreasing at higher concentrations. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated enhanced thermal stability at higher CNT loadings due to the barrier effect and improved heat distribution. This research demonstrates the potential of CNT-reinforced vetiver root fiber bio composites as environmentally friendly materials with tailorable properties for various applications.
Article Details
References
Gnansounou, E and Raman, J. K. 2018. A review on bioremediation potential of vetiver grass. In E. Gnansounou (Ed.), Springer Singapore: 127-140.
Islam, Md. A., Islam, M. S and Elahi, T. E. 2020. Effectiveness of Vetiver Grass on Stabilizing Hill Slopes: A Numerical Approach. Geo-Congress 2020. 106-115.
Jandyal, T and Shah, M. Y. 2024. An experimental investigation on the effect of vetiver grass root system on the engineering properties of soil. Life Cycle Reliability and Safety Engineering. 13(3): 335-350.
Pattnaik, S. S., Behera, D., Nanda, D., Das, N and et. al. 2025. Green Chemistry approaches in materials science: physico-mechanical properties and sustainable applications of grass fiber-reinforced composites. Green Chemistry. 27(10): 2629-2660.
Kumari, S. V. G., Pakshirajan, K and Pugazhenthi, G. 2022. Recent advances and future prospects of cellulose, starch, chitosan, polylactic acid and polyhydroxyalkanoates for sustainable food packaging applications. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 221: 163-182.
Taib, N.-A. A. B and et al. 2023. A review on poly lactic acid (PLA) as a biodegradable polymer. Polymer Bulletin. 80(2): 1179-1213.
Bledzki, A. K., Jaszkiewicz, A and Scherzer, D. 2009. Mechanical properties of PLA composites with man-made cellulose and abaca fibres. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing. 40(4): 404-412.
Graupner, N., Herrmann, A. S and Müssig, J. 2009. Natural and man-made cellulose fibre-reinforced poly (lactic acid) (PLA) composites: An overview about mechanical characteristics and application areas. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing. 40(6-7): 810-821.
Zhao, X., Liu, J., Li, J and et. al. 2022. Strategies and techniques for improving heat resistance and mechanical performances of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) biodegradable materials. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 218: 115-134.
Jiang, Y., Yan, C., Wang, K. and et. al. 2019. Super-Toughed PLA Blown Film with Enhanced Gas Barrier Property Available for Packaging and Agricultural Applications. Materials. 12(10): 1663.
Sonjui, T and Jiratumnukul, N. (n.d.). 2014. Poly (lactic acid) organoclay nano composites for paper coating applications. In Songklanakarin J. Sci. Technol. 5(36): 535-540.
Rapa, M., Darie Nita, R. N and Vasile, C. 2017. Influence of Plasticizers Over Some Physico-chemical Properties of PLA. Materiale Plastice. 54(1): 73-78.
Syduzzaman, M., Islam Saad, M. S., Piam, M. F and et. al. 2025. Carbon nanotubes: Structure, properties and applications in the aerospace industry. Results in Materials. 25: 100654.
Al-Maharma, A. Y., Sendur, P and Al-Huniti, N. 2018. Critical review of the factors dominating the fracture toughness of CNT reinforced polymer composites. Materials Research Express. 6(1): 012003.
Ali, A., Koloor, S. S. R., Alshehri, A. H and et. al. 2023. Carbon nanotube characteristics and enhancement effects on the mechanical features of polymer-based materials and structures–A review. Journal of Materials Research and Technology. 24: 6495-6521.
Mendoza Reales, O. and Dias Toledo Filho, R. 2017. A review on the chemical, mechanical and microstructural characterization of carbon nanotubes-cement based composites. Construction and Building Materials. 154: 697-710.
Shan, L. 2023. The effects of nano-additives on the mechanical, impact, vibration, and buckling/post-buckling properties of composites: A review. Journal of Materials Research and Technology. 24: 7570-7598.
Al-Maharma, A. Y and Sendur, P. 2018. Review of the main factors controlling the fracture toughness and impact strength properties of natural composites. Materials Research Express. 6(2): 022001.
T. National Science and Technology Development Agency. Bio-Circular-Green Economy to be declared a national agenda. https://www.nstda.or.th/thaibioeconomy/1 38-bio-circular-green-economy-to-be-declared-a-national-agenda.html. [Accessed 31 March 2025].
Ma, P.-C., Siddiqui, N. A., Marom, G and Kim, J.-K. 2010. Dispersion and functionalization of carbon nanotubes for polymer-based nanocomposites: A review. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing. 41(10): 1345-1367.
Spitalsky, Z., Tasis, D., Papagelis, K and Galiotis, C. 2010. Carbon nanotube–polymer composites: Chemistry, processing, mechanical and electrical properties. Progress in Polymer Science. 35(3): 357-401.
Nurazzi, N. M., Asyraf, M. R. M., Fatimah Athiyah, S and et.al. 2021. A Review on Mechanical Performance of Hybrid Natural Fiber Polymer Composites for Structural Applications. Polymers. 13(13): 2170.
Papageorgiou, D. G., Li, Z., Liu, M and et.al. 2020. Mechanisms of mechanical reinforcement by graphene and carbon nanotubes in polymer nanocomposites. Nanoscale. 12(4): 2228-2267.
Sarikhani, N., Arabshahi, Z. S., Saberi, A. and et.al. 2022. Unified modeling and experimental realization of electrical and thermal percolation in polymer composites. Applied Physics Reviews. 9(4).
Fiedler, B., Gojny, F. H., Wichmann, M. H. G and et.al. 2006. Fundamental aspects of nano-reinforced composites. Composites Science and Technology. 66(16): 3115-3125.
Fu, S.-Y., Feng, X.-Q., Lauke, B. and Mai, Y.-W. 2008. Effects of particle size, particle/matrix interface adhesion and particle loading on mechanical properties of particulate–polymer composites. Composites Part B: Engineering. 39(6): 933-961.
Thostenson, E., Li, C and Chou, T. 2005. Nanocomposites in context. Composites Science and Technology. 65(3-4): 491-516.
Coleman, J. N., Khan, U., Blau, W. J and Gun'Ko, Y. K. 2006. Small but strong: A review of the mechanical properties of carbon nanotube–polymer composites. Carbon. 44(9): 1624-1652.
Nilagiri Balasubramanian, K. B and Ramesh, T. 2018. Role, effect, and influences of micro and nano‐fillers on various properties of polymer matrix composites for microelectronics: A review. Polymers for Advanced Technologies. 29(6): 1568-1585.
Arora, B and Attri, P. 2020. Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs): A Potential Nanomaterial for Water Purification. Journal of Composites Science. 4(3): 135.
Ashori, A., Sheshmani, S and Farhani, F. 2013. Preparation and characterization of bagasse/HDPE composites using multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Carbohydrate Polymers. 92(1): 865-871.
Su, S. P., Xu, Y. H., China, P. R and et. al. 2011. Thermal degradation of polymer–carbon nanotube composites. In Polymer–Carbon Nanotube Composites: 482-510.
Mohd Nurazzi, N., Asyraf, M. R. M., Khalina, A and et.al. 2021. Fabrication, Functionalization, and Application of Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Polymer Composite: An Overview. Polymers. 13(7): 1047.