Effect of functionalized carbon nanotubes on molecular interaction and properties of polyurethane composites

Functionalized MWNTs were incorporated into PU by solution mixing to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of composites. A homogeneous dispersion of MWNTs was successfully achieved in PU matrix as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy. It may be attributed to the hydrogen bonds existing between C=O groups of hard segments of PU chains and COOH groups of the MWNT COOH. The incorporation of the MWNTs effectively enhanced the crystallization of the PU matrix through heterogeneous nucleation, and the nucleation effect was more evident at 10 wt.-% functionalized MWNTs as compared to other composite systems. Mechanical properties of the PU-MWNTs composites were assessed as a function of MWNT concentration and dispersion of MWNT in PU matrix. The most significant improvement in mechanical properties was obtained, e.g., 740% increase in modulus and 180% increase in tensile strength over pure PU with 20% MWNT content. The thermal stability of composites due to thermal gravimetric measurements was significantly improved.