Abstract
The dispersion state of individual MWCNT in the polymer matrix influences the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of the resulting composite. One method of obtaining a good dispersion state of MWCNT in a polymer matrix is to functionalize the surface of MWCNT using various treatments to enhance the surface energy and increase the dispersibility of MWCNT. In this study, wettability and surface energy of UV/O3and acid-treated multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and its polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) polymer nanocomposites were measured using contact angle analysis in various solvent media. Contact angle analysis was based on ethylene glycol-water-glycerol probe liquid set and data was further fitted into geometric mean (Fowkes), van Oss-Chaudhury-Good (GvOC), and Chang-Qing-Chen (CQC) models to determine both nonpolar and acid base surface energy components. Analysis was conducted on MWCNT thin films subjected to different levels of UV/O3and acid treatments as well as their resulting MWCNT/PMMA nanocomposites. Contact angle analysis of thin films and nanocomposites revealed that the total surface energy of all samples was well fitted with each other. In addition, CQC model was able to determine the surface nature and polarity of MWCNT and its nanocomposites. Results indicated that the wettability changes in the thin film and its nanocomposites are due to the change in surface chemistry. Finally, electrical properties of nanocomposites were measured to investigate the effect of surface functionality (acid or basic) on the MWCNT surfaces.
Highlights
Numerous polymer composites’ fabrication has been focused to improve the electrical and mechanical properties for various applications [1, 2]
We demonstrated the successful functionalization of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by acid and UV/O3 treatments
It can be concluded that both treatments resulted in better dispersion of the MWCNTs into the various liquid and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposites
Summary
Numerous polymer composites’ fabrication has been focused to improve the electrical and mechanical properties for various applications [1, 2]. The surface energy is an important parameter in understanding the wetting of a material in addition to adhesion and dispersion properties or compatibility with a solvent or polymer [16]. It can be measured by several established approaches [17]. We synthesized the MWCNT thin film and the MWCNT/PMMA composite with functionalized MWCNT, treated by UV/O3 and acid and calculated the surface energy using contact angle measurement, which was fitted from above various models. We further studied correlation between surface energy, dispersibility, and electrical properties in polymer matrix by measuring the sheet resistance of the pristine MWCNT, UV/O3 MWCNT, and acid MWCNT/PMMA composite
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