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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Improvement of interaction in and properties of PMMA-MWNT nanocomposites through microwave assisted acid treatment of MWNT

Adriaan S. LuytAlberto SpinellaEugenio CaponettiAntonio Zanotto

subject

Microwave-assisted purificationThermogravimetric analysisThermal propertiesMaterials sciencePolymers and PlasticsGeneral Physics and AstronomyCarbon nanotubePMMA; Multi-walled carbon nanotubes; Microwave-assisted purification; Nanocomposite structure; Thermal propertieslaw.inventionsymbols.namesakeDifferential scanning calorimetrylawMaterials ChemistryComposite materialFourier transform infrared spectroscopySettore CHIM/02 - Chimica Fisicachemistry.chemical_classificationNanocompositeOrganic Chemistrytechnology industry and agriculturePolymerPMMAMulti-walled carbon nanotubeAmorphous carbonChemical engineeringchemistrysymbolsRaman spectroscopyNanocomposite structure

description

Soluble derivatives of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) embedded in a poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) matrix forming thick, homogeneous and transparent nanocomposites, were prepared and characterized. A new photo-assisted method using microwaves, to purify the MWNTs from amorphous carbon and synthesis catalyst clusters, was tested in a sulphonitric mix. This method shortened the processing time compared to other methods. Pristine and functionalized MWNTs were introduced into the MMA, then in situ photo-polymerized. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD), as well as Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), Raman and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy were used to monitor the effects of the treatment on the different components. The thermal properties of the composites were determined through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The short, microwave treated and polyethylene glycol (PEG) functionalized MWNTs showed the best dispersion in and interaction with PMMA, and had the most significant influence on the thermal properties of this polymer.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2013-01-01European Polymer Journal
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2012.10.030