MacGyvered Multiproperty Materials Using Nanocarbon and Jam: A Spectroscopic, Electromagnetic, and Rheological...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Pectin, a biodegradable biopolymer, is explored as a matrix for engineered materials.
• Few pectin-based nanocomposites exist, with limited use of nanocarbon fillers, primarily in food packaging.
• There is a need for sustainable, advanced materials from readily available resources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel, eco-friendly nanocomposites using a commercial jam base.
• To investigate the effect of nanocarbon fillers (carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoplates) on jam properties.
• To characterize the electrical and viscoelastic behavior of these new bionanocomposites.

Main Methods:

• Commercial jam was loaded with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene nanoplates (GNPs).
• Electrical conductivity and rheological measurements were performed.
• The percolation threshold for each filler type was estimated.
• The influence of filler morphology (1D vs. 2D) on material properties was analyzed.

Main Results:

• The electrical and viscoelastic properties of the jam were successfully modulated by the addition of CNTs and GNPs.
• The study identified a new class of bionanocomposites based on a common food product.
• Material behavior above the percolation threshold differed based on the nanofiller's dimensionality.

Conclusions:

• Household materials like jam can be utilized to create advanced functional materials.
• The morphology of nanocarbon fillers significantly impacts the properties of the resulting nanocomposite.
• This research supports the development of sustainable materials for advanced applications, reducing environmental impact.