Abstract
In this study, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were treated chemically with ethylene glycol (EG) to improve their dispersion in the polymer matrix. Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) films with different EGMWNT contents were prepared by solution casting and the surface characteristics of EG-MWNTs and interaction between the EG-MWNTs and PVDF matrixes were investigated. Using XPS and Zeta potential values compared to those of pristine MWNTs, the surface characteristics of the EG-MWNTs were determined by the increase in the number of oxygen groups. The ΔHm and XC of the PVDF films increased slightly with increasing EG-MWNT content. In addition, the tensile strength of the pure PVDF film increased significantly with increasing EG-MWNTs addition; its maximum value was observed at a 1.0 wt% EG-MWNT loading, and was 62% higher than that of a pure PVDF film. This was attributed to the improved dispersability of EG-MWNTs in the PVDF matrix, leading to strong physical interactions between the EG-MWNTs and PVDF matrix.
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