Improvement of mechanical and thermal properties of carbon nanotube composites through nanotube functionalization and processing methods Sahoo, Nanda Gopal [School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798 (Singapore)]; Cheng, Henry Kuo Feng; Junwei, Cai [School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798 (Singapore)]; Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology, 71 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 638075 (Singapore)]; Li Lin, E-mail: mlli@ntu.edu.sg [School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798 (Singapore)]; Chan, Siew Hwa [School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798 (Singapore)]; Jianhong, Zhao; Suzhu, Yu [Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology, 71 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 638075 (Singapore)] 36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; ADHESION; CARBON; CRYSTALLIZATION; DISPERSIONS; ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY; NANOTUBES; NYLON; PERFORMANCE; SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY; STRONG INTERACTIONS; THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES; BASIC INTERACTIONS; ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES; ELECTRON MICROSCOPY; ELEMENTS; INTERACTIONS; MATERIALS; MICROSCOPY; NANOSTRUCTURES; NONMETALS; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; ORGANIC POLYMERS; PETROCHEMICALS; PETROLEUM PRODUCTS; PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS; PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; PLASTICS; POLYAMIDES; POLYMERS; SYNTHETIC MATERIALS BASIC INTERACTIONS; ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES; ELECTRON MICROSCOPY; ELEMENTS; INTERACTIONS; MATERIALS; MICROSCOPY; NANOSTRUCTURES; NONMETALS; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; ORGANIC POLYMERS; PETROCHEMICALS; PETROLEUM PRODUCTS; PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS; PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; PLASTICS; POLYAMIDES; POLYMERS; SYNTHETIC MATERIALS The effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and processing methods on the morphological, dynamic mechanical, mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of MWCNT/nylon 6 (PA6) composites has been investigated. The MWCNTs have been functionalized covalently and noncovalently for better dispersion in the polymer matrix. A homogeneous dispersion of MWCNTs was achieved in the PA6 matrix as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy. The strong interaction between the functionalized MWCNTs and the PA6 matrix greatly enhanced the dispersion as well as the interfacial adhesion. As a result, the overall mechanical performance of the composites could be improved. The incorporation of the MWCNTs effectively enhanced the crystallization of the PA6 matrix through heterogeneous nucleation. The present investigation revealed that the mechanical, thermal as well as electrical properties of MWCNT-filled polymer composites were strongly dependent on the state of dispersion, mixing and processing conditions, and interaction with the polymeric matrix. Available from http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2009.06.007 Netherlands 2009-09-15 English Journal Article Journal Name: Materials Chemistry and Physics; Journal Volume: 117; Journal Issue: 1; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2009.06.007; PII: S0254-0584(09)00342-3; Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Medium: X; Size: page(s) 313-320 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2009.06.007 [] 1 117 Journal ID: ISSN 0254-0584; MCHPDR; TRN: NL09S2037069621 NLN 2012-12-11 21591630