Fabrication and Characterization of PMMA/MWCNTs Composite Materials

Abstract

In order to improve the mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were used as reinforcement through in situ polymerization method to prepare PMMA/MWCNTs composites by changing the reaction time, polymerization temperature and the content of MWCNTs. The effects of different reaction conditions on the properties of the composites were studied. The results show that the mechanical properties, thermal/electrical conductivity and thermal stability of the composites are improved compared with the PMMA matrix. The tensile strength of the composites is increased by up to 24%. The bending strength of the composite material increases from 20.41 to 68.04 MPa, and the maximum increase is 233%. Meanwhile, when the content of MWCNTs is 3 wt%, the thermal conductivity of the composite is 0.335 W/(m-K), which increases by 138%, and the electrical conductivity is 3.94 S/m. The thermal stability of the composite has been significantly enhanced. The modified PMMA will be widely used in medicine, communications, electronics and other fields.

Keywords

polymethyl methacrylate / carbon nanotubes / mechanical property / thermal conductivity / thermal stability

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