Morphology, crystallization, and mechanical properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/multiwall carbon nanotube nanocomposites via <i>in situ</i> polymerization with very low content of multiwall carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Abstract So far, the reported content of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in polymer/MWNTs nanocomposites is usually above 0.1 wt %. In this article, we will report our work on the study of the morphology, crystallization, and mechanical properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/MWNTs nanocomposites prepared by in situ polymerization with very low content of MWNTs (from 0.01 to 0.2 wt %). Well‐dispersed MWNTs with a big network throughout PET matrix were observed by SEM. The very small amount of MWNTs displayed a great nucleating effect on the PET crystallization. The crystallization temperature was improved for 6.4°C by using only 0.01 wt % MWNTs. The decreased chain mobility of PET by adding MWNTs was evident by the formation of imperfect or smaller/thinner crystallites with low melting temperature. An increased storage modulus was also achieved for the nanohybirds with MWNT content less than 0.05 wt %. Our result indicates that using very low content MWNTs (less than 0.1 wt %) is a simple way to achieve good dispersion, yet with remarkable enhancement for polymer/MWNTs modification. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 3695–3701, 2007