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Improvement in properties of multiwalled carbon nanotube/polypropylene nanocomposites through homogeneous dispersion with the aid of surfactants
Author(s) -
Cheng Henry Kuo Feng,
Pan Yongzheng,
Sahoo Nanda Gopal,
Chong Kahwei,
Li Lin,
Hwa Chan Siew,
Zhao Jianhong
Publication year - 2011
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.35047
Subject(s) - materials science , dodecylbenzene , nanocomposite , polypropylene , composite material , ultimate tensile strength , carbon nanotube , dispersion (optics) , compatibilization , polymer , rheometry , chemical engineering , copolymer , polymer blend , sulfonate , sodium , physics , optics , metallurgy , engineering
The effects of different surfactants on the properties of multiwalled carbon nanotubes/polypropylene (MWCNT/PP) nanocomposites prepared by a melt mixing method have been investigated. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (NaDDBS) were used as a means of noncovalent functionalization of MWCNTs to help them to be dispersed uniformly into the PP matrix. The effects of these surfactant‐treated MWCNTs on morphological, rheological, thermal, crystalline, mechanical, and electrical properties of MWCNT/PP composites were studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, rheometry, tensile, and electrical conductivity tests. It was found that the surfactant‐treatment and micromixing resulted in a great improvement in the state of dispersion of MWCNTs in the polymer matrix, leading to a significant enhancement of Young's modulus and tensile strength of the composites. For example, with the addition of only 2 wt % of SDS‐treated and NaDDBS‐treated MWCNTs, the Young's modulus of PP increased by 61.1 and 86.1%, respectively. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012