Pyridine-Modified Polymer as a Non-Covalent Compatibilizer for Multi-Walled CNT/Poly[ethylene-co-(methacrylic acid)] Composites Fabricated by Direct Melt Mixing

Multi-wall CNT/poly[ethylene-co-(methacrylic acid)] composites were prepared by melt mixing. To improve dispersion and promote polymer/nanotube interactions, a novel non-covalent compatibilizer is synthesized by reacting the polymer with 4-(aminomethyl)pyridine. The composite based on the pristine polymer shows electrical and rheological percolation thresholds at nanotube loadings of 1.85 and 1.4wt%, respectively. When 5wt% of the pyridine-modified compatibilizer is added, the corresponding values are reduced to 1.44 and 0.8wt%, respectively. The electrical resistivity decreases even further as 10wt% of the novel dispersing agent is used. Microscopy and Raman spectroscopy confirm the improved dispersion and -interactions established during melt mixing.