Study of SMA graft modified MWNT/PVC composite materials

Abstract

A sort of styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers graft modified multiple-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT-SMA) was prepared by the graft reaction of hydroxyl carbon nanotubes with styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers. The structure of MWNT-SMA was characterized by FTIR, Raman spectra and TEM. Further more, the MWNT/PVC composite materials was prepared and their mechanical properties were studied. The experimental results show that the addition of MWNT there is an important effect on the enhancement of mechanical properties of PVC. And the graft modification of SMA to MWNT is propitious to the improvement of compatibility between MWNT and PVC. In this work the elongation rate at break of MWNT-SMA/PVC composites increases 5 times than the unmodified MWNT/PVC composite materials, and 37 times than the pure PVC. The impact strength increases 4 times than the unmodified MWNT/PVC composite materials, and 10 times than pure PVC. Meanwhile the tensile strength keeps no change.