Enhancement of interfacial adhesion and dynamic mechanical properties of poly(methyl methacrylate)/multiwalled carbon nanotube composites with amine-terminated poly(ethylene oxide)

Abstract

We have studied the dynamic mechanical behavior of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/acidified multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) composites compatibilized with amine-terminated poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-NH 2). PEO-NH 2 is ionically associated with acidified MWNTs via ionic interaction as shown by XPS and FTIR. The miscibility between PEO and PMMA improves the interfacial adhesion between polymer matrix and MWNTs, leading to an increase in the storage modulus values of the composites. The effects of PEO-NH 2 on storage modulus and glass transition temperature are discussed.