In vitro biodegradation of poly(L-lactide) biopolymer reinforced with functionalized MWCNTs

Abstract In this research, poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) biocompatible and biodegradable polymer constructs were reinforced with functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to overcome on insufficient mechanical properties of this polymer for high load bearing applications. To fully realize the potential of MWCNTs and have an efficient load transfer across the MWCNTs/polymer interface, PLLA chains grafted on the sidewall of aminated MWCNTs (MWCNT-g-PLLAs). The analysis results showed that the in vitro biodegradation of MWCNT-g-PLLAs/PLLA nanocomposites in PBS increased gradually with increasing the concentration of MWCNT-g-PLLAs in the composites. Additionally, the glass transition temperature of composites increased with increment the concentration of functionalized MWCNTs. The biodegradation kinetics of nanocomposites can be engineered and functionalized by varying the concentration of functionalized MWCNTs.