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Functionalization of Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes with Thermo-reversible Block Copolymers and Characterization by Small-angle Neutron Scattering
Published on: June 1, 2016
Reinforced thermoplastic polyimide with dispersed functionalized single wall carbon nanotubes
Marisabel Lebrón-Colón1, Michael A Meador, James R Gaier
1NASA Glenn Research Center, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44135, USA. Marisabel.lebron-colon-1@nasa.gov
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|April 2, 2010
Summary
Molecular pi-complexes of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and a pyrene derivative significantly enhance polyimide film properties. These SWCNT/1 complexes improve mechanical, thermal, and electrical performance, offering advanced material solutions.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Polyimide films are widely used in various applications due to their excellent properties.
- Enhancing the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of polyimides is crucial for advanced applications.
- Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are known for their exceptional properties but require effective dispersion and functionalization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize molecular pi-complexes of SWCNTs with a pyrene-based molecule (1).
- To investigate the impact of these SWCNT/1 complexes as nanoadditives on polyimide film properties.
- To evaluate the potential of SWCNT/1 complexes for improving polyimide performance.
Main Methods:
- Formation of molecular pi-complexes between HiPCO SWCNTs and 1-pyrene-N-(4-N'-(5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboxyimido)phenyl butanamide (1).
- Preparation of polyimide films incorporating either uncomplexed SWCNTs or SWCNT/1 complexes.
- Characterization of mechanical (tensile strength, storage modulus), thermal (glass transition temperature, T(g)), and electrical (DC surface conductivity) properties of the composite films.
Main Results:
- SWCNT/1 complexes significantly enhanced polyimide properties compared to uncomplexed SWCNTs.
- At 5.5 wt % loading, SWCNT/1 complexes increased polyimide T(g) from 169 to 197 °C and storage modulus 20-fold.
- A 3.5 wt % addition of SWCNT/1 complexes boosted tensile strength from 61.4 to 129 MPa, with higher loadings causing embrittlement.
- Electrical conductivity reached 1 x 10(-4) S/cm at 9 wt % SWCNT/1 complex loading.
Conclusions:
- Molecular pi-complexation is an effective strategy to improve SWCNT dispersion and compatibility in polyimide matrices.
- SWCNT/1 complexes offer superior enhancement of polyimide mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties compared to pristine SWCNTs.
- These functionalized SWCNTs hold promise for developing high-performance polyimide-based nanocomposites.
