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Preparation and physical characterization of SWCNTs-polycarbonate nanocomposites

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Abstract

This work demonstrates the physical properties for polymer nanocomposites of polycarbonate (PC) and functionalized-SWCNTs at different weight ratios. The results demonstrate that the thermal, rheological, electrical, and optical properties are significantly improved. The improvement over PC properties suggest that the functionalization of SWCNTs using UVO will improve their dispersion in the PC matrix and enhance their interaction with polymer matrix. The storage modulus value at RT is improved by 44 % as the weight fraction of SWCNTs increases up to 1 wt%. Electrical results show that the percolation threshold is around 0.4 % SWCNTs and incorporation of 1 % SWCNTs into PC will decrease PC resistivity up to six order of magnitudes. Incorporation of 1 % SWCNTs into PC will also enhance the UV/visible absorption and will decrease the optical energy gap of neat PC.

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Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, KSA, for their support. Also, a special thank for Mr. Esam Barqawi (physics department, college of science, KFU, Al-Ahsa, KSA) for his technical help.

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  1. Department of Physics, College of Science, King Faisal University, P.O. Box 400, Al-Ahsa, 31982, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Ayman S. Ayesh

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Ayesh, A.S. Preparation and physical characterization of SWCNTs-polycarbonate nanocomposites. J Polym Res 19, 27 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-012-0027-y

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