Polymer composites based on functionalized carbon nanotubes

Abstract

The present paper considers the efficiency of using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) functionalized by titanium stearate groups for modifying of polyethylene and polypropylene. For this purpose, the strength characteristics, Shore hardness, thermal diffusivity and conductivity of the obtained nanocomposites were determined. The weak effect of the CNTs (0.01-1.5 wt.%) on the values of thermal conductivity coefficients and thermal diffusivity was revealed. It was found that compared to the unmodified matrix, nanocomposites containing 0.01-0.1 wt.% of the titanium stearatefunctionalized CNTs demonstrate, an increase in the Shore hardness by 12.5-14.5%, a decrease in the weight wear by 54.2%, and the daily water absorption-to the values below the threshold of sensitivity of the standardized method of determination. The functionalization by the titanium stearate groups made it possible to reduce the CNTs mass fraction in the composition of polyethylene and polypropylene composites by more than 10 times compared with the pristine nanotubes.