In situ polymerization approach to poly(arylene ether nitrile)-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube composite films: thermal, mechanical, dielectric, and electrical properties

Abstract

Abstract Poly(arylene ether nitrile) (PEN)-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) composites were successfully prepared via an in situ polymerization method based on the combination of nucleophilic aromatic substitution polymerization with simple acylate-functionalized MWNTs (MWNTs-COCl) in the presence of nitrile monomers. The structure and morphology of PEN-MWNT composites were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The improvement in the thermal stability and mechanical properties of PEN-MWNT films was achieved because of the good-quality dispersion of MWNTs and strong interfacial interaction between the PEN matrix and MWNTs. The most important result is that the dielectric constant and electrical conductivity can be remarkably enhanced by a high MWNT content.