Effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the biodegradable behavior of poly (L-lactide) in vitro

Composites based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)s and poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) were prepared by using solvent casting method. Both carboxylated MWCNTs and pristine MWCNTs were considered in order to investigate the interactions between PLLA and MWCNTs and to understand the role of the filler in the biodegradability. In vitro degradation studies were performed by measurement of weight loss, FT-IR, DSC and SEM over a 30 weeks period. Pristine MWCNTs and carboxylated MWCNTs had a different effect on the degradation of PLLA. Thermal properties of MWCNTs based PLLA composites changed compared to neat PLLA. A possible mechanism of MWCNTs effect on the degradation of PLLA was discussed.