Dispersion of Nano-materials in Polymer Composite Materials

Abstract

Polymer composites materials are the subject of extensive studies because of their novel properties compared with their constituent materials. Dispersion stability of sub-micron sized particles in the medium is important from the point of colloidal views. In the present study, dispersion of nano-materials in the matrix polymer is one of the most important problems to enhance their mechanical properties. We tackled this problem to carry out surface modification of the nano-materials, such as carbon nano tubes (CNTs), using amphiphilic polymers, poly N vinylacetamide (PNVA), synthesized thorough radical polymerization. Hydrogen bond worked between PNVA onto the modified nano-materials and hydrophilic matrix, such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), to enhance surface adhesions and dispersions of the nano-materials in the matrix. As a result, the mechanical properties of their composites materials were strengthened. When CNTs were used in PVA, the transparency of the composite was also increased due to improvement of their dispersions. In addition, if the CNTs formed the networks in the composites, the highly conductive and transparent polymer composite films were fabricated.