Novel nanocomposite of poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐glycidyl methacrylate) crosslinked with Jeffamine‐functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes as gel polymer electrolytes

Abstract

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were functionalized with a,x-diamino poly(propylene oxide) (Jeffamine) of different molecular weights and crosslinked with poly(acrylonitrile-co-glycidyl methacrylate) [P(AN-GMA)] to prepare a novel nanocomposite for applications in gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs). The synthesized copolymer was characterized by 1 H-NMR, Fourier transform infrared, and thermal analysis. Scanning electron microscope observation revealed that the Jeffamine-functionalized MWCNTs distributed uniformly in the nanocomposite membrane. The mechanical behaviors of the nanocomposite membranes were investigated. It was found that the crosslinked nanocomposite membranes of P(AN-GMA) and Jeffamine-functionalized MWCNTs exhibited much higher mechanical strength than the counterpart nanocomposite obtained by physical blending. Moreover, the weight content and molecular weights of Jeffamine had an effect on the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. Differential scanning calorimeter measurements showed that the crosslinked nanocomposite membranes were amorphous. GPEs based on the nanocomposite were prepared and characterized by complex impedance measurements. The GPE based on the nanocomposite of P(AN-GMA) crosslinked with 6 wt % of MWCNTs functionalized by Jeffamine D400 showed an ionic conductivity of about 3.39 Â 10 À4 S cm À1 at 25 C, which is much higher than the counterpart nanocomposite of physically blended P(AN-GMA) and MWCNTs.

Jeffamine‐Based Polymers for Rechargeable Batteries

“…In a different study by Li et al a novel hybrid material based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), poly(acrylonitrileco-glycidyl methacrylate) [P(AN-GMA)], Jeffamine compounds (JEFFAMINE® D-2000 or D-400) and LiPF 6 based liquid electrolyte was reported. [58] The structure of this HPE can be observed in Figure 4a. It was proven that the chemical bonding between the components improved the mechanical properties compared to the establishment of physical bindings.…”