Non-destructive functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes with naphthalene-containing polymer for high performance Nylon66/multi-walled carbon nanotube composites

A new compatibilizer, poly(vinyl benzyloxy methyl naphthalene)-g-poly(t-butyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid), was synthesized for Nylon 66 (N66)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites. It has been shown that the naphthalene unit in the main chain of the compatibilizer interacts with MWCNTs by pi-pi interaction and that the carboxylic acid unit in the graft chain of the compatibilizer interacts with the amide group of N66. The use of the compatibilizer produces well-dispersed MWCNTs in N66 matrix, which results in improved mechanical and electrical properties of the composites, while the simple mixture of N66/MWNCT5 without the compatibilizer exhibits poor mechanical and electrical properties due to severe aggregation of MWCNTs. It is also found that the compatibilizer with a small amount of carboxylic acids is more effective for improving the mechanical and electrical properties of N66/MWCNT composites. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.