Preparation of Polymer Nanocomposites Containing Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes Functionalized by Chloroform Plasma

Document Type : Original Research Articles

Authors
Fathollah Pourfayaz
Ali Gholami
School of Energy and Sustainable Resources Engineering, College of Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
10.22059/jsciences.2025.367159.1007834
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
Subjects
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Journal of Sciences, Islamic Republic of Iran
Volume 35, Issue 4
Autumn 2024
Pages 351-357