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Comparison of Covalently and Noncovalently Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes in Epoxy
Author(s) -
Liu Lei,
Etika Krishna C.,
Liao KangShyang,
Hess Lance A.,
Bergbreiter David E.,
Grunlan Jaime C.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
macromolecular rapid communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.348
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1521-3927
pISSN - 1022-1336
DOI - 10.1002/marc.200800778
Subject(s) - carbon nanotube , covalent bond , polyethylenimine , epoxy , dispersant , materials science , polymer , carbon nanobud , frit compression , chemical engineering , modulus , polymer chemistry , composite material , chemistry , dispersion (optics) , nanotube , organic chemistry , optical properties of carbon nanotubes , carbon nanotube supported catalyst , carbon nanofiber , transfection , biochemistry , physics , optics , gene , engineering
Carbon nanotubes typically require the use of a dispersing or stabilizing agent to prevent significant aggregation during incorporation into a polymer matrix. These additives must be strongly associated, either covalently or physically, to achieve their purpose. In this study, multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were dispersed into an epoxy matrix using polyethylenimine (PEI) as a dispersant that was either covalently attached to the nanotubes or physically mixed to result in only noncovalent interaction. Epoxy composites containing covalently modified MWNTs exhibited greater storage modulus and reduced electrical conductivity.