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

Journal
Macromolecular materials and engineering  
Volume
298
Issue
3
Start Page
359
End Page
370
Citation
Macromolecular Materials and Engineering 3 (298): 359-370 (2013)
Publisher DOI
10.1002/mame.201200066
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84874842561
Publisher
Wiley-Interscience
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.
Subjects
carbon nanotubes
functionalization
interfaces
mechanical properties
thermoplastic elastomers
DDC Class
540: Chemie
620: Ingenieurwissenschaften
More Funding Information
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) (Grant Number: Schu 926/14‐1).