Polymer Nanocomposite Films with Functionalized MWCNTs

Abstract

Polymer nanocomposites with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have become very attractive class of materials for numerous engineering applications since carbon nanotubes exhibit a high aspect ration, unique electrical, mechanical and structural properties. Functionalization of CNTs offer new potentials for other technical challenges of the polymer based nanocomposites associated with their specific interactions. A biocompatible polymer matrices PMMA and PCL were used to provide good interfacial bonding between carbon nanotubes. MWCNT (d=30-50 nm, purity>95%) were used for preparation of polymer based nanocomposites with 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 % w/w MWCNTs content. PMMA-based nanocomposites were prepared via the mixing of the MWCNT and polymer in a dichloromethane solution for 24 h, while for the PCL-based nanocomposites as a solvent tetrahyrofurane was used. Functionalization of the CNTs was performed in acid (HNO3) and alkali (NH4OH+H2O2) medium as well as by additional thermal oxidation at 490°C. Characterization of the nanocomposite films was performed by DSC, TGA, WAX, FTIR and SEM. The obtained results have shown that introducing MWCNT into polymer matrix significantly changes have been found in the properties of the obtained nanocomposites.