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In the present study, stereoregular poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) coated hydroxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-OH) nanocomposites were prepared over different reaction times of non-covalent functionalization. The reaction time was set as 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours. The structure and optical characteristics of nanocomposites were analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, respectively. Reaction time affected prepared nanocomposites by decreasing the intensity of the P3HT/MWCNT-OH peaks gradually with increasing of the reaction time. Comparing with the pure P3HT and MWCNT-OH, the calculated energy band gap and the Urbach energy of the nanocomposites were reduced proportionally as the reaction time reached 120 hours and achieved 2.60 and 0.329 eV, respectively.

This paper presents a structural analysis of various methods to produce bacterial cellulose (BC) from Nata de Coco (Acetobacter xyllinum). BC sheet, BC chem and BC mech powder were successfully prepared using oven drying, chemical and mechanical treatment. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) were used to analyze the structure of prepared BC. The structure of bacterial cellulose was compared with the structure of commercial microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and cotton fabric. The XRD results showed that the BC sheet sample had the highest degree of crystallinity (81.76%) compared to cotton cellulose (75.73%). The crystallite size of cotton was larger than the BC sheet, with the value of 6.83 ηm and 4.55 ηm, respectively. The peaks in the FTIR spectra of all BC were comparable to the commercial MCC and cotton fabrics. FESEM images showed that the prepared BC sheet, BC mech, and BC chem had an almost similar structure like commercial MCC and cotton fabric. It was concluded that simple preparation of BC could be implemented and used for further BC preparation as reinforcement in polymer composites, especially in food packaging.

Based on 87 references, a literature review was presented on PLA reinforced with pineapple leaf fibers (PALF). The properties of PALF were compared with those of other natural fibers. Mechanical properties of PLA composites and factors influencing them, such as filler content, adhesion at the interface between polymer fiber and matrix, as well as fiber length and their modification were discussed. Potential applications of PLA/PALF composites were also presented.