Effect of functionalized SWCNTs on microstructure of PP‐g‐MA/OMMT/f‐SWCNTs nanocomposite

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study the effect of functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (fSWCNTs) on the microstructure of PP-g-MA/organic modified montmorillonite (OMMT)/f-SWCNTs ternary nanocomposite. Pristine SWCNTs were chemically modified by maleic anhydride to improve the interaction between PP-g-MA and nanotubes. The dispersion states of OMMT in the different nanocomposites were investigated by wide angle X-ray diffraction. The morphologies of the nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Crystallization behaviors of nanocomposites were studied through differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing optical microscopy. Different than the PP-g-MA/OMMT binary nanocomposite, in which the OMMT is mainly in an exfoliated state, the ternary PP-g-MA/OMMT/f-SWCNTs nanocomposite exhibits mostly intercalated OMMT. Furthermore, in the ternary nanocomposite, the crystallization of polymer is mainly induced by f-SWCNTs rather than by OMMT.

Effects of cylindrical and sheet types of nanoparticles on thermal properties and chain folding free energy of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

“…Similar result has been discussed previously by Gao et al. 23 for PP-g-MA/MWCNT/OMMT nanocomposites. However, the PET-S0.5O1 nanocomposite showed no peak in WAXS that indicated a better nanostructure compared to the other samples.…”

“…It can be deduced that decreasing the amount of MWCNT nanoparticles created better conditions for intercalation of PET macromolecules in the OMMT galleries and promoted the transformation of OMMT nanostructures from the intercalated to a partially exfoliated state because decreased the motion of PET macromolecules. Similar result has been discussed previously by Gao et al 23 for PP-g-MA/MWCNT/ OMMT nanocomposites. However, the PET-S0.5O1 nanocomposite showed no peak in WAXS that indicated a better nanostructure compared to the other samples.…”

“…PET macromolecules could easily attach to the modified surfaces of OMMT and MWCNT nanoparticles which this facilitates the crystallization of PET at higher temperatures. 23,26,27…”

“…16,22 Furthermore, little attention has been paid to the synergistic effect among different kinds of nanoparticles on the mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of PET/CNT nanocomposites. Gao et al 23 studied the effects of functional single wall CNT (SWCNT) and organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) nanoparticles on the microstructures of polypropylene grafted by maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA) nanocomposites and investigated the synergistic effect between nanoparticles.…”

“…Gao et al. 23 studied the effects of functional single wall CNT (SWCNT) and organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) nanoparticles on the microstructures of polypropylene grafted by maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA) nanocomposites and investigated the synergistic effect between nanoparticles.…”