Effects of size and surface modification of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on mechanical properties of polyurethane-based nanocomposites

Abstract

Polyurethanes/multi-walled carbon nanotube (PU/CNT) composites were prepared with a help of ultrasonically dispersing CNT in the traditional procedure of synthesizing polyurethane. In this case, the various loading levels, sizes and surface-modified groups were considered to regulate the mechanical performances of the PU/CNT nanocomposites. Moreover, the structure and mechanical properties of all the PU/CNT nanocomposites were investigated by attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and tensile testing. The experimental results showed that a moderate loading-level of 0.1wt% and a diameter of 10–15 nm for CNT could produce the maximum tensile strength and elongation while it was worth noting that the surface carboxylation of CNT could further enhance the tensile strength and elongation of the PU/CNT nanocomposites.

Keywords

nanocomposites / polyurethane / carbon nanotubes / mechanical properties

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