Chinese scientists from NIMTE develop a new bio-based polyester nanocomposite

That is why researchers coming from the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering (NIMTE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) utilised a type of two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets to wrap one-dimensional carbon nanotube fibre, thanks to which they obtained a fibre with superior dispersion and structure stability. They think that innovative hetero-structured nanotube fibre can serve as a catalyst, nucleator and interface enhancer of polyesters.

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Thanks to the multi-scale energy dissipated structure, the newly developed nanocomposite achieved exceptional mechanical strength, stiffness and toughness. Compared with most commercial bio-based materials and plastics, the novel nanocomposite shows superior ultraviolet resistance, solvent resistance and enhanced gas barrier performance against oxygen, carbon dioxide and water. Moreover, the nanocomposite can retain 90 percent of its strength after 5 recycling cycles, indicating its outstanding reprocessability.

This multifunctional bio-based nanocomposite provides a practical and sustainable substitute for petroleum-based plastics in packaging and engineering applications, marking a significant step in achieving carbon neutrality goals.