Preparation and physical properties of carbon nanotubes- PVA nanocomposites

Nanocomposite materials were prepared by incorporating multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), obtained by acetylene catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) on Co/Fe-modified MgO, within poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). Before incorporation, nanotubes were oxidized to obtain better compatibilization with the polymer. It has been found that the addition of COOH-functionalized and purified MWNTs improves the mechanical response, increases the glass transition temperature, and delays the thermal oxidation of PVA. Furthermore, the PVA crystallinity seems to be enhanced by the presence of nanotubes.