Influence of chemically and plasma-functionalized carbon nanotubes on high-performance polymeric nanocomposites

Abstract

This investigation highlights different surface functionalization processes of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and their effects on mechanical properties of polyetherimide nanocomposite. Surfaces of MWCNTs were modified by chemical process and by low-pressure plasma process. There is a significant change in physicochemical characteristics of MWCNTs after chemical and low plasma treatment evident from scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies. Due to surface modification of CNTs, there is a significant change in surface morphology and increase in oxygen functionalities such as C=O, C–O, and COOH especially evident in low-pressure plasma treatment; however, differential scanning calorimeter and thermogravimetric analysis studies reveal that thermal properties of the composite do not alter as such. There is a significant increase in mechanical properties of high-performance polymeric nanocomposites when surface-functionalized MWCNTs are dispersed in polymeric matrix; however, surface characteristics of the composite remain almost unchanged evident from contact angle and surface energy studies.

Tungsten carbide, boron carbide, and MWCNT reinforced poly(aryl ether ketone) nanocomposites: Morphology and thermomechanical behavior

“…The respective flexural strength, fracture toughness, and Poisson's ratio of B 4 C were found to be 410 MPa, 3.5 MPa m 1/2 , and 0.19 . The MWCNTs possess Young's modulus as high as 1.2 TPa and tensile strength of 50–200 GPa . It could be mentioned that WC nanofillers tolerate higher plastic deformation than B 4 C as evident from its higher fracture toughness and Poisson's ratio.…”

“…MWCNT can be used as better choice as secondary nanofiller due to its high mechanical strength, low density, high surface area, and thermal conductivity . Apart from contributing to the improvement in strength, MWCNT can aid the heat transfer in the composite as it has superlative thermal conductivity of 3000 W m −1 K −1 .…”

PDLLA honeycomb-like scaffolds with a high loading of superhydrophilic graphene/multi-walled carbon nanotubes promote osteoblast in vitro functions and guided in vivo bone regeneration

“…Conversely, if a polymer surface does not meet the suitable properties for a target application, mostly undesired surface events may occur. In this context, the modification of polymeric surfaces using carbon nanotubes (CNT) has been demonstrated to be an excellent approach to achieve the desired physico-chemical, mechanical and biological properties [15][16][17]. Moreover, the use of plasma-functionalized CNT has been greatly highlighted as a feasible way to increase the oxygen functionalities, such as \ \C_O\ \OH, \ \OH, \ \C_O and \ \C\ \O; therefore, a significant increase in the polymer matrix-CNT adhesion interface is achieved when plasma-modified CNT are used instead of pristine-CNT [10,17,18].…”

Investigation of the mechanical properties of the modified poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) fibers based on 2-(4-aminophenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-amine

“…Since CNTs were discovered in 1991, 8,9 because of their unique physical and chemical properties, they have received much attention in the fabrication of a new class of advanced materials. CNTs exhibit a series of properties that makes them an ideal advanced filler material candidate in nanocomposites.…”