Document Type : Original Paper

Authors

• Fathollah Pourfayaz
• Ali Gholami

University of Tehran

Abstract

The carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can more efficiently enhance the polymer properties than the other nanofillers due to their unique physical and chemical properties. However, the good dispersion of carbon nanotubes into the polymer matrices is challenging because the CNTs tend to form bundles and agglomerate due to strong van der Waals interactions between the nanotubes. The functionalization of carbon nanotubes can help solve this problem and lead to the good dispersion of CNTs in polymers. In this study, the multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were functionalized using dielectric barrier discharge plasma in helium saturated with chloroform. Then, the functionalized MWCNTs were used to prepare the polymer nanocomposites with a good dispersion state of nanotubes. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results showed that the MWCNTs' surfaces are functionalized with the chlorinated group due to exposure of the MWCNTS to the plasma. Moreover, the optical microscopy images and measured rheological properties of the nanocomposites indicated that the plasma-functionalized MWCNTs are better distributed into the polymer matrix than the unfunctionalized MWCNTs. This confirmed that the plasma functionalization enhances the interactions between the MWCNTs and the polymer matrices.

Keywords

• Polymer nanocomposites
• Carbon nanotubes
• Functionalization
• Plasma

Main Subjects

• Nanotechnology