Dispersion characteristics and properties of poly(methyl methacrylate)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposites

The preparation, characterization, and properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposites are described. Nanocomposites have been prepared by melt-blending in a batch mixer. Both unmodified and surface modified MWCNTs have been used for the nanocomposites preparation. Using both unmodified and modified MWCNTs, the effect of surface modification in nanocomposites is investigated by focusing on three major aspects: dispersion characteristics, mechanical properties, and electrical conductivity measurements. Dispersion of the MWCNTs in the PMMA matrix is examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy that revealed a homogeneous distribution-dispersion of MWCNTs in the PMMA matrix for both unmodified and modified MWCNTs. Thermomechanical behavior is studied by dynamic mechanical analyzer and results showed a substantial improvement in the mechanical properties of PMMA in conjunction to an increase in the elastic behavior. The tensile properties of neat PMMA moderately improved after nanocomposites preparation with both modified and unmodified MWCNTs, however, electrical conductivity of neat PMMA significantly improved after nanocomposites preparation with 2 wt% unmodified MWCNTs. For example, the through plane conductivity increased from 3.6 × 10 ^-12 S · cm ^-1 for neat PMMA to 3.6 × 10 ^-9 S · cm ^-1 for nanocomposite. The various property measurements have been conducted and results have shown that, in overall, surface modifications have very little or no effect on final properties of neat PMMA.