Flexible and Sustainable PLA/PBAT‐g‐GMA Nanocomposites Based on Carbon Nanotubes With Potential for Electrostatic Control

ABSTRACT Flexible and conductive polymeric nanocomposites with a greater sustainable footprint are on the rise, targeting applications in the electronics sector. This study investigated the production of sustainable nanocomposites based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and glycidyl methacrylate‐functionalized poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT‐g‐GMA), using carbon nanotube (MWCNT) contents ranging from 0.5 to 5 phr (parts per hundred resin). The nanocomposites were processed using an extruder and molded by injection, followed by rheological, structural, mechanical, thermal, thermomechanical, electrical, and morphological characterizations. FTIR analysis indicated interactions between the functional groups of PBAT‐g‐GMA and PLA, contributing to the development of nanocomposites with high toughness and ductility. Oscillatory rheology showed that the incorporation of 3 and 5 phr of MWCNT into PLA/PBAT‐g‐GMA formed a percolated network, which coincided with the highest electrical conductivity performances of 1.31 × 10 −7 S/cm and 4.31 × 10 −6 S/cm, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that at 3 and 5 phr MWCNT contents, selective migration of the nanotubes toward the PBAT‐g‐GMA phase occurred, inducing a co‐continuous morphology, which explains the high electrical conductivity. Notably, the PLA/PBAT‐g‐GMA/MWCNT (5 phr) nanocomposite exhibited a remarkable impact strength, exceeding that of neat PLA by 1065.3%, while maintaining a heat deflection temperature (HDT) of 54°C and increasing elongation at break by over 500%. These results highlight the potential of these nanocomposites for sustainable applications with electrostatic control.