Styrene–acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) and multi-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposites were prepared by solution casting from aqueous solution. The composites were prepared with different CNT concentrations. CNTs significantly affected mechanical properties of the obtained materials. The elastic modulus and ultimate strength of the composite films were improved though ultimate elongation reduced by increasing the CNT content. Apart from studying stress–strain characteristics, some calorimetric investigations were carried out to explain the specific deformation behaviour from the structure viewpoint. Dielectric measurements indicated an increase in AC conductivity and dielectric permittivity already at a small CNT addition.
1. Maciej, O. Carbon nanotube composites – mechanical, electrical, and optical properties. Dissertation zur Erlangung des Doktorgrades (Dr. rer. nat.). Bonn, 2006.
2. Chen, W., Tao, X., Xue, P., and Cheng, X. Enhanced mechanical properties and morphological characterizations of poly(vinyl alcohol)–carbon nanotube composite films. Appl. Surf. Sci., 2005, 252, 1404–1409.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2005.02.138
3. Tang, C., Zhou, T., Yang, J., Zhang, Q., Chen, F., Fu, Q., and Yang, L. Wet-grinding assisted ultrasonic dispersion of pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in chitosan solution. Colloids Surf. B, 2011, 86, 189–197.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2011.03.041
4. Maa, P. C., Siddiqui, N. A., Marom, G., and Kim, J. K. Dispersion and functionalization of carbon nanotubes for polymer-based nanocomposites: a review. Composites: Part A, 2010, 41, 1345–1367.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2010.07.003
5. Bauhofer, W. and Kovacs, J. Z. A review and analysis of electrical percolation in carbon nanotube polymer composites. Compos. Sci. Technol., 2009, 69,1486–1498.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2008.06.018
6. Morcom, M., Atkinson, K., and Simon, G. P. The effect of carbon nanotube properties on the degree of dispersion and reinforcement of high density polyethylene. Polymer, 2010, 51, 3540–3550.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2010.04.053
7. Wang, M., Pramoda, K. P., and Goh, S. H. Enhancement of the mechanical properties of poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) with poly(methyl methacrylate)-grafted multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Polymer, 2005, 46, 11510–11516.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2005.10.007
8. Zhao, C., Hu, G., Justice, R., Schaefer, D. W., Zhang, S., Yang, M., and Han, C. C. Synthesis and characterization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes reinforced polyamide 6 via in situ polymerization. Polymer, 2005, 46, 5125–5132.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2005.04.065
9. Coleman, J. N., Khan, U., Blau, W. J., and Gun¢ko, Y. K. Small but strong: a review of the mechanical properties of carbon nanotube–polymer composites. Carbon, 2006, 44, 1624–1652.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2006.02.038
10. Regev, O., El Kati, P. N. B., Loos, J., and Koning, C. E. Preparation of conductive nanotube–polymer composites using latex technology. Adv. Mater., 2004, 16, 248.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/adma.200305728
11. Wu, T. M. and Chen, E. C. Preparation and characterization of conductive carbon nanotube–polystyrene nanocomposites using latex technology. Compos. Sci. Technol., 2008, 68, 2254–2259.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2008.04.010
12. Zhaoxia, J., Pramoda, K. P., Guoqin, X., and Suat, H. G. Dynamic mechanical behavior of melt-processed multi-walled carbon nanotube/poly(methyl methacrylate) composites. Chem. Phys. Lett., 2001, 337, 43–47.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0009-2614(01)00186-5
13. Shi, J. H., Yang, B. X., and Goh, S. H. Covalent functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes with poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) by reactive melt blending. Eur. Polym. J., 2009, 45, 1002–1008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2008.12.040
14. Spitalskya, Z., Tasisb, D., Papagelisb, K., and Galiotis, C. Carbon nanotube–polymer composites: chemistry, processing, mechanical and electrical properties. Progr. Polym. Sci., 2010, 35, 357–401.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2009.09.003
15. Bartholome, C., Miaudet, P., Derré, A., Maugey, M., Roubeau, O., Zakri, C., and Poulin, P. Influence of surface functionalization on the thermal and electrical properties of nanotube–PVA composites. Compos. Sci. Technol., 2008, 68, 2568–2573.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2008.05.021
16. Manchado, M. A. L., Valentini, L., Biagiotti, J., and Kenny, J. M. Thermal and mechanical properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes–polypropylene composites prepared by melt processing. Carbon, 2005, 43, 1499–1505.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2005.01.031
17. Chen, L., Pang, X. J., and Yu, Z. L. Study on polycarbonate/multi-walled carbon nanotubes composite produced by melt processing. Mat. Sci. Eng., A, 2007, 457, 287–291.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2007.01.107
18. Bin, Y., Mine, M., Koganemaru, A., Jiang, X., and Matsuo, M. Morphology and mechanical and electrical properties of oriented PVA–VGCF and PVA–MWNT composites. Polymer, 2006, 47, 1308–1317.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2005.12.032
19. Fritzsche, J., Lorenz, H., and Klüppel, M. CNT based elastomer-hybrid-nanocomposites with promising mechanical and electrical properties. Macromol. Mater. Eng., 2009, 294, 551–560.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mame.200900131
20. Tapas, K., Saswata, B., Partha, K., Nam, H. K., Kyong, Y. R., and Joong, H. L. Characterization and properties of in situ emulsion polymerized poly(methyl methacrylate)/graphene nanocomposites. Composites: Part A, 2011, 42, 1856–1861.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2011.08.014
21. Rajendra, A. K. and Jyoti, P. J. Copolyester nanocomposites based on carbon nanotubes: reinforcement effect of carbon nanotubes on viscoelastic and dielectric properties of nanocomposites. Polym. Int., 2008, 57, 114–123.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pi.2325
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2008.05.005
