Structure–property relationship studies in amine functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes filled polypropylene composite fiber

Abstract

Amine functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (a‐MWNT) based polypropylene (PP) composite fibers were prepared in the presence of polypropylene‐g‐maleic anhydride (PP‐g‐MA) by melt‐mixing followed by melt‐spinning with subsequent post‐drawing of the as‐spun fibers of varying draw ratio (DR). In order to enhance the interfacial interaction, a‐MWNT were utilized in combination with PP‐g‐MA during melt‐mixing. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis revealed the formation of imide bonds between MA functionality of PP‐g‐MA and amine functional group of a‐MWNT. Higher tensile properties of PP/a‐MWNT/PP‐g‐MA composite fibers were registered with varying DR of the as‐spun fiber. Orientation factors of a‐MWNT and PP chains along the fiber axis were correlated with the higher tensile modulus and tensile strength of PP/a‐MWNT/PP‐g‐MA composite fiber of varying DR. Crystallization studies indicated the role of hetero‐nucleating action of a‐MWNT in PP/a‐MWNT/PP‐g‐MA composite fiber. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers

Orientation of carbon nanotubes in polypropylene melt

“…It is clear that the incorporation of SWCNTs increases T c of the composites in comparison with PP/PP‐ g ‐MA, confirming that SWCNTs enhance the nucleation of PP/PP‐ g ‐MA crystallization , . Tambe et al reported the hetero‐nucleating effect of CNTs and that the higher T c of functionalized CNT/PP/PP‐ g ‐MA was attributed to the uniform dispersion of CNTs . Valentini et al also reported that T c of a SWCNT/PP composite was significantly increased due to the nucleation effect .…”

“…27,28 Tambe et al reported the hetero-nucleating effect of CNTs and that the higher T c of functionalized CNT/PP/PP-g-MA was attributed to the uniform dispersion of CNTs. 18 Valentini et al also reported that T c of a SWCNT/PP composite was significantly increased due to the nucleation effect. 29 However, the melting temperature decreased on incorporation of SWCNTs, while the heat of fusion was unchanged.…”

“…While the presence of MWCNTs hinders the orientation of both main chains and side‐groups of sPS, the orientation of sPS chains and MWCNTs increases with draw ratio . Tambe et al extensively studied the structure–property relationship of MWCNT/polypropylene (PP) composites under various draw ratios . The ratio of fiber spinning speed to take‐up speed was changed to determine the effect of draw ratio on the orientation of MWCNTs in a MWCNT/polycarbonate composite, and it was reported that the orientation of the MWCNTs was improved with increasing draw ratio .…”

“…10 Tambe et al extensively studied the structure-property relationship of MWCNT/polypropylene (PP) composites under various draw ratios. 18 The ratio of fiber spinning speed to take-up speed was changed to determine the effect of draw ratio on the orientation of MWCNTs in a MWCNT/polycarbonate composite, and it was reported that the orientation of the MWCNTs was improved with increasing draw ratio. 12 Bhattacharyya et al prepared a single-walled CNT (SWCNT)/PP fiber using the melt-spinning method.…”

Effect of montmorillonite and shear stress on the orientation of single walled carbon nanotubes in polypopylene composite fiber

“…Earlier reports showed that the addition of clay to CNTs significantly improved the debundling of CNTs, resulting in fine dispersions in polymer matrix . Tambe et al reported that uniform distribution of CNT contributed to the increase in crystallinity of PP.…”