Controlled nanostructure and high loading of single-walled carbon nanotubes reinforcedpolycarbonate composite

Abstract

This paper presents an effective technique to fabricate thermoplastic nanocomposites withhigh loading of well-dispersed single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). SWNTmembranes were made from a multi-step dispersion and filtration method, and thenimpregnated with polycarbonate solution to make thermoplastic nanocomposites. Highloading of nanotubes was achieved by controlling the viscosity of polycarbonate solution.SEM and AFM characterization results revealed the controlled nanostructure in theresultant nanocomposites. Dynamic mechanical property tests indicated that thestorage modulus of the resulting nanocomposites at 20 wt% nanotubes loadingwas improved by a factor of 3.4 compared with neat polycarbonate material.These results suggest the developed approach is an effective way to fabricatethermoplastic nanocomposites with good dispersion and high SWNT loading.