Thermal behaviors of polyimide with plasma-modified carbon nanotubes

A series of plasma-modified carbon nanotubes with maleic anhydride (mCNT) based on polyimide (mCNT/PI) nanocomposites were prepared by a two-step method. The mCNT/PI nanocomposites exhibit excellent thermal properties owing to mCNT and its good dispersion in the polyimide matrix. The TEM patterns were proved to show dispersed behavior of mCNT in the PI matrix. By using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), thermogravimetric with infrared spectra (TGA-IR), we discuss the kinetic behavior during the degradation of nanocomposites. Then Ozawa and Kissinger's theorems were calculated based on the relationship between activation energy and mCNT content. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.