Simultaneous Construct Surface Microstructural and Internal Network-Like Conductive Pathways of Poly(l-lactic acid)/Carbon Nanomaterials Composite Foams

The poly(l -lactic acid) (PLLA)/carbon nanomaterials composite foams with hierarchical surface microstructural and internal conductive pathways are successfully prepared by a simple crystallization-assisted rapid phase separation (CARPS). The dimension and morphology of carbon nanomaterials can induce different crystallization forms to construct the hierarchical surface microstructure, and they are distributed on the phase interface of solvent and non-solvent to form conductive pathways. It is found that the heterogeneous nucleation of nanomaterials promotes a significant increase in crystallinity, and a stacked granular structure formed on the surface promotes the increase of the water contact angle to 148.7°. Foams with interconnecting pore structures contribute to the formation of 85.3% porosity and 12.33 g g⁻¹ oil absorption. Carbon nanomaterials are distributed on the pore walls of the porous foam, which converts the foam from an insulating material to a conducting polymer. Furthermore, the uniform distribution of nanomaterials significantly affects the thermal stability of the PLLA. In belief, the multifunctional biodegradable foam, prepared by a CARPS method, makes it promising for industrial production and has potential applications in electrical conductivity, oil-water separation, and many other fields.