Preparation and characterization of carbon nanotube and zinc oxide nanorod reinforced fish gelatin nanocomposite.

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of a novel ternary nanocomposite of carbon nanotube (CNT) and ZnO-nanorod (ZNR) reinforced fish gelatin (FG). The nanocomposite is prepared by solution casting method by varying concentrations of nanofillers (0.00%, 0.20%, 0.25%, and 0.30%), where individual nanofillers are taken in the same concentration, and analyzed by different characterization techniques to comprehend their interaction. Regarding nanofillers, nearly perfect graphitized CNTs of minimum defects and ZNRs with high degree of crystallinity with an interlayer spacing of 0.233 nm are used and encapsulation of the nanofillers by the FG matrix is observed. The crystallinity is increased with the initial incorporation of nanofillers but interestingly decreases with higher concentrations of them. Amide bands are identified with peak shifting suggesting enhanced interactions between nanofillers and the FG matrix. Similar bands are also observed from the Raman spectra. Successful incorporation of the nanofillers is further confirmed from XPS spectra. An increase in the concentration of nanofiller is seen to have an impact on the thermal stability of the nanocomposites and also causes a shift in the glass transition and melting temperatures by 12 C and 19 C, respectively. Improvement in the mechanical properties is observed where Young’s modulus and ultimate strength are increased by 3.5 and 2.5 times, respectively. By investigating the optical properties bandgaps (Eg) and Urbach energy are determined and no significant change in Eg is observed. The current densityvoltage (JV) characteristics are also studied and observed the temperature effect on the JV relationship. The activation energy is also estimated for the prepared nanocomposite and a significant reduction from 1.96 keV for 0.00% FGCZ to 133.31 eV for 0.30% FGCZ nanocomposite is observed. This study would help to understand the influence of nanofillers in tailoring nanocomposite properties offering opportunities to tune properties and explore applications in next-generation technologies.