Fabrication and viscoelastic characteristics of amino-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube/poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites

To enhance the dispersion and load transfer of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) in a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix, amino-functionalized-MWNT (MWNT-NH₂) was applied to the fabrication of MWNT-NH₂/PMMA nanocomposites. Functionalization through a series of chemical modifications using thionyl chloride and hexamethylene diamine was adopted. The MWNT-NH₂ was then reacted with PMMA through the aid of amino groups to form MWNT-NH₂/PMMA nanocomposites. The MWNT-NH₂ attached covalently to PMMA was confirmed by both scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. The effects of the MWNT-NH₂ content on the rheological properties were examined using both steady shear and oscillatory rheological measurements. The viscoelastic properties became more solid-like as the MWNT-NH₂ content was increased. The Cole-Cole plot of the dynamic moduli indicated a good dispersion of MWNT in the polymer matrix using the functionalized MWNT.