Impact of filler functionalisation on the crystallinity, thermal stability and mechanical properties of thermoplastic elastomer/carbon nanotube nanocomposites

In the present work, the functionalisation of oxidised SWCNTs and MWCNTs is studied. The functionalised fillers are characterised by Raman spectroscopy and TGA. The functionalised fillers are dispersed in a PBT-PTMO thermoplastic elastomer matrix via in situ polymerisation. The functionalisation causes a fine filler dispersion right at beginning of nanocomposite manufacturing. The fillers act as nucleating agents for crystallisation and evidences for a grafting from PBT at the surface of the functionalised nanotubes are found. An outstanding reinforcement effect by the functionalised CNTs is confirmed by tensile tests. A new and facile functionalization of carbon nanotubes with 1,4-butanediol is proposed. The modified fillers could improve the mechanical properties of thermoplastic elastomers based on poly(butylene terephthalate co-tetramethylene oxide) multi-block copolymers. The nice dispersion and strong interfacial adhesion led to improved mechanical performance. Thermal analysis evidences the chemical coupling of poly(butylene terephthalate) at the functionalized nanoparticles surface. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Content

Subjects

carbon nanotubes

functionalization

interfaces

mechanical properties

thermoplastic elastomers

DDC Class

540: Chemie

620: Ingenieurwissenschaften

Funding References

More Funding Information

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) (Grant Number: Schu 926/14‐1).