Effect of multiwalled carbon nanotubes on the properties of PMMA/PEO blends

Abstract

Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/Poly ethylene oxide (PEO) (15 wt.% PMMA/85 wt.% PEO (PMMA/PEO-A) and 30 wt.% PMMA/70 wt.% PEO (PMMA/PEO-B)) blends, and functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (F-MWNTs) filled PMMA/PEO-A and PMMA/PEO-B composites were prepared via solution casting technique. The morphological study showed the formation of cracks in F-MWNTs/PMMA/PEO blend. The mechanical properties of PMMA/PEO blend were decreased by incorporation of F-MWNTs, which might be due to less compatibility between F-MWNTs and PMMA/PEO blends. Neat PEO upon crystallization showed distinct sized spherulites, which decreased by the incorporation of F-MWNTs (nucleation effect of FMWNTs). The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses revealed that the intensity of peaks decreased by incorporation of nanotubes, which means that the PEO crystallinity was suppressed in the presence of F-MWNTs. The thermal stabilities of PMMA/PEO blend were improved by incorporation of F-MWNTs. © 2014, Sociedad Química de México.