Renewable bio-based materials show promise in replacing traditional plastics, offering an eco-friendly solution to the global energy crisis and environmental pollution. The 2,5-furanodicarboxylic acid (FDCA)-based polyesters, in particular, are promising candidates for sustainable and recyclable packaging materials.
However, the overall properties of these bio-based polyesters do not yet match those of petrochemical-based plastics, primarily due to limitations in molecular and microstructural design.
To address this, researchers utilized two-dimensional (2D) MXene nanosheets to encapsulate one-dimensional (1D) carbon nanotube (CNT) fibers, resulting in dendritic MXene@CNT heterostructures with enhanced dispersion and structural stability. This innovative heterostructured MXene@CNT acts as a catalyst, nucleator, and interface enhancer for polyesters.
By embedding the dendritic MXene@CNT into a bio-based polybutylene furandicarboxylate (PBF) matrix, the MXene@CNT/PBF (MCP) nanocomposite was synthesized through in-situ catalytic polymerization and hot pressing.
Thanks to its multi-scale energy-dissipating structure, the MCP nanocomposite achieved impressive mechanical properties, including a strength of approximately 101 MPa, stiffness of about 3.1 GPa, and toughness of around 130 MJ m-3.
When compared to various commercial bio-based materials and plastics, the MCP nanocomposite exhibits resistance to UV light, solvents, and improved gas barrier performance against O2, CO2, and H2O. Notably, the nanocomposite retains 90% of its strength after five recycling cycles.
The integration strategy of catalysis and interfacial strengthening presented in this study paves the way for advancements in high-performance polyester materials. This multifunctional bio-based MCP nanocomposite offers a viable sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics in packaging and engineering applications, representing a significant step toward achieving carbon neutrality goals.
Read the original article on Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).
