Polymer-nanotube composites: Controlling properties by controlling interaction

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) have recently emerged as a promising class of materials that possess extraordinary mechanical and electrical properties. Dispersing nanotubes in a polymer matrix provides an effective way to exploit these extraordinary properties, however sufficient dispersion has been difficult to achieve due to strong intertube interaction. Previous work in our lab has shown that a favorable interaction such as hydrogen bonding between a copolymer and carbon nanotubes enhances dispersion of the nanotubes in the polymer matrix. The composites of copolymers are prepared with SWNT and MWNT and characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and tested for electrical conductivity and tensile properties. Electrical conductivity results show that the nanotubes in PSVPh20 exhibit enhanced dispersion. The tensile tests show maximum enhancement in tensile strength for the composite of nanotubes with PSVPh20. FTIR analysis for hydrogen bond interaction between the polymer and nanotubes are in good agreement with tensile test and electrical conductivity results.