Polymers and Polymer Composites

EFFECT OF POLY(2-ETHYL-2-OXAZOLINE) ON MULTI-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES REINFORCED POLY(VINYL ALCOHOL) COMPOSITES

May 1, 2010 By: Tan S H; Suk K L; Goak J C; Hong S C; Kim J-Y; Lee S-W; Kim S; Seo Y; Lee N Research article

Title: EFFECT OF POLY(2-ETHYL-2-OXAZOLINE) ON MULTI-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES REINFORCED POLY(VINYL ALCOHOL) COMPOSITES
Page Range: p.251-256
Author(s): Tan S H; Suk K L; Goak J C; Hong S C; Kim J-Y; Lee S-W; Kim S; Seo Y; Lee N
File size: 348K
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Journal: Polymers and Polymer Composites
Issue Year: ppc
Volume: 18
Issue No: No.5

Abstract
The effect of poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEOX) as a surface modifier for multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) composite was studied through a simple polymer wrapping and melt extrusion processes. MWCNTs were carboxylated in a reaction with HNO3, followed by mixing with 10 wt.% PEOX in ethanol to produce a MWCNT-PEOX complex. High resolution transmission electron microscopy identified a PEOX layer existing on the surface of MWCNTs. Compared with pristine MWCNTs, MWCNT-PEOX showed an improved dispersion in hydrophilic solvents such as water and ethanol. The PVA composite reinforced with 0.5 wt.% MWCNT-PEOX exhibited 54% higher Young’s modulus than pure PVA. 20 Refs.


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