Influence of Enhanced Dispersity of Chemically Treated MWNTs on Physical Properties of MWNTs/PVDF Films

摘要

In this study, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were treated chemically with ethylene glycol (EG) to improve their dispersion in the polymer matrix. Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) films with different EG-MWNT contents were prepared by solution casting and the surface characteristics of EG-MWNTs and interaction between the EG-MWNTs and PVDF matrixes were investigated. Using XPS and Zeta potential values compared to those of pristine MWNTs, the surface characteristics of the EG-MWNTs were determined by the increase in the number of oxygen groups. The ΔHm_ and X_c of the PVDF films increased slightly with increasing EG-MWNT content. In addition, the tensile strength of the pure PVDF film increased significantly with increasing EG-MWNTs addition; its maximum value was observed at a 1.0 wt% EG-MWNT loading, and was 62% higher than that of a pure PVDF film. This was attributed to the improved dispersability of EG-MWNTs in the PVDF matrix, leading to strong physical interactions between the EG-MWNTs and PVDF matrix.