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Improving dispersion of multiwalled carbon nanotubes in polyamide 6 composites through amino‐functionalization
Author(s) -
Li Juan,
Fang Zhengping,
Tong Lifang,
Gu Aijuan,
Liu Fu
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.24599
Subject(s) - materials science , polyamide , surface modification , composite material , scanning electron microscope , carbon nanotube , transmission electron microscopy , nanocomposite , dispersion (optics) , microstructure , hexamethylenediamine , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , physics , optics , engineering
The focus of this study is to investigate the state of dispersion of different treated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in polyamide 6 (PA6). The MWNTs used in composites were grafted by 1,6‐hexamethylenediamine (HMD) via acid‐thionyl chloride to improve their compatibility with PA6 matrix. A microstructure transformation of MWNTs is found during the treatment process. Acidification makes the MWNTs compact and grafting HMD promotes the compact structure loose again. The MWNTs after different treatment were used to fabricate MWNTs/PA6 composites through melt blending. The dispersion of different MWNTs in PA6 was observed by a combination of scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that the amino‐functionalized MWNTs are dispersed more homogeneously in PA6 than the purified MWNTs, and the poorest dispersion is achieved for acid treated MWNTs. It is indicated that the loose structure and functionalized surface of MWNTs benefit the dispersion of MWNTs in PA6. In addition, the amino‐functionalization of MWNTs improves the compatibility between the MWNTs and PA6, resulting in stronger interfacial adhesion. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007