Caracterización mecánica de un material compuesto, con matriz de polipropileno y alótropos de carbono para futuras aplicaciones biológicas.

Abstract

This project was carried out to investigate the development of new materials where carbon allotropes such as graphite and carbon dots serve as reinforcement of a polymeric matrix whose main interest is presented in applications in the biomedical field. To develop the composite material a polypropylene matrix of PETROQUIM PH1310 brand was used, carbon allotropes (graphite and carbon dots) were used as reinforcement in weight percentage (wt%) of 0.5%, 0.75% and 1%. For the synthesis of the carbon dots, the direct carbonization process of citric acid was used, which is introduced into the secondary feed hopper directly into the extruder, to obtain a homogeneous mixture between the matrix and the reinforcement. The same procedure was performed with the graphite which was introduced directly into the secondary feed hopper. As compatibilizer between the pure polypropylene and the reinforcement, 3 wt% maleized polypropylene was used in all compositions. The material obtained was evaluated by flexural, hardness and tensile mechanical tests; thermal properties were analyzed by full cycle DSC test; physical, chemical and morphological properties were also analyzed by Fourier transform FTIR spectroscopy. When analyzing the results, it was determined that the obtained materials changed their mechanical properties compared to the pure material. But there are great opportunities as antibacterial materials that the reinforcements used provide to the composite materials studied in this degree project.