(Digital Presentation) Preparation and Characterization of PMMA-SWCNT Nanocomposites

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) exhibit unique properties such as high tensile strength, excellent electrical conductivity, and resistance to corrosion. Unfortunately, macroscopic objects from these nanostructures do not perform equally well because the individual nanotubes do not transfer electrical charge, phonons, or stress between them sufficiently well. One possible solution to improve the properties of macroscopic ensembles from nanocarbon is to manufacture the composites with other materials like polymers, ceramics, or metals. This connection is usually beneficial. However, the properties depend strongly on the integration degree of the two compounds. For example, nanocomposites with polymers have improved mechanical (Poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA) or electrical (in the cause of conductive polymers) properties. Many ways lead to PMMA-CNTs, but the most popular are coating (dip-coating, spin-coating, spray-coating) and dispersion methods.One of the potential applications of these composites is as a membrane for the purification of wastewater from organic residues. Unfortunately, industrial growth in the last century has caused a reduction in the availability of pure water, so the abovementioned application of CNTs would be beneficial. However, the main problem with pristine carbon nanotube films is their structural integrity. The addition of polymer molecules could overcome this problem and lead to a new effective method of removing impurities.The commercial single-walled carbon nanotubes (TuballTM) were used to create nanocomposites with PMMA using either dip-coating or dispersion method. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and mechanical testing were used to analyze composites. The nanocomposites were used to remove aromatic organic compounds dissolved in water. For model substances methyl orange, methylene blue, and fluorescein were chosen. UV-VIS spectroscopy was used to gauge the concentration of organic compounds before/after the filtration of the aqueous solution dissolved therein. The best results were for SWCNTs and PMMA-SWCNTs membranes as they removed more than 99% of chosen water impurities.