Electrical and thermal properties of PLA/CNT composite films

Abstract

Conducting polymers presents many potential applications such as biosensors and biofuelcells. However, to
be used in those devices, a thin film must be deposited onto a conducting and biocompatible substrate. In this
work, carbon nanotubes (CNT) were mixed in a poly (lactic acid) -- PLA -- matrix with different compositions
(from 0.25 to 5.0 %) in order to form conducting composites suitable to the deposition of a conducting
polymer. Thermal properties of PLA/CNT composites were evaluated by Thermogravimetry (TG) and Differenctial
Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and the electrical properties were evaluated by 2-probe method and
by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). Thermal analysis showed and influence of CNT quantities
on PLA crystallization, which also showed an influence on conductivity of the tested materials. Besides,
the conductivity of PLA/NTC 1% film showed similar values of the conducting polymer (Pani) itself.