No abstract

Multiwalled carbon nanotube was successfully grafted with poly(methyl methacrylate) by free radical mechanism using benzoyl peroxide initiator. The reaction was carried out in situ, where the initiator and methyl methacrylate monomer generated the polymer-free radical that was subsequently grafted to the surface of the pristine multiwalled carbon nanotube. The multiwalled carbon nanotube grafted poly(methyl methacrylate) (MWCNT-g-PMMA) were characterized using Fourier transform infrared, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, 13 C-solid NMR spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scan electron microscopy. From the result of the characterizations, the grafting of poly(methyl methacrylate) on to multiwalled carbon nanotube was confirmed, and a percentage grafting of 41.51% weight was achieved under optimized conditions with respect to the temperature and the amount of the initiator.

In this study, we describe the preparation and characterization of natural rubber nanocomposites filled with poly (methyl methacrylate) grafted multiwalled carbon nanotube. The use of various filler loadings (1, 2, 3, and 5 wt %) and melt blending method was employed. From the results, nanocomposite with 1 phr filler loading showed the optimal tensile strength of 4.92 MaP, while that of the carbon black N330 filled natural rubber with similar filler loading found to be 2.48 MaP. The nanocomposite with optimal tensile strength exhibited a good filler dispersion in the natural rubber matrix, which was depicted by the field emission scanning electron microscopy images. The thermal degradation temperature of the vulcanized neat natural rubber composite was increased from 380℃ to 462℃ with 1 phr filler loading. The polymer modified multiwalled carbon nanotube improved the mechanical and thermal properties of natural rubber, suggesting its potential as reinforcement filler in rubber industry.

Polyethylene glycol functionalized with oxygenated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (O-PEG-MWCNTs) as an efficient nanomaterial for the in vitro adsorption/release of curcumin (CUR) anticancer agent. The synthesized material was morphologically characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the CUR adsorption process was assessed with kinetic and isotherm models fitting well with pseudosecond order and Langmuir isotherms. The results showed that the proposed O-PEG-MWCNTs has a high adsorption capacity for CUR (2.0 × 10 3 mg/g) based on the Langmuir model. The in vitro release of CUR from O-PEG-MWCNTs was studied in simulating human body fluids with different pHs (ABS pH 5, intestinal fluid pH 6.6 and body fluid pH 7.4). Lastly, to confirm the success compliance of the O-PEG-MWCNT nanocomposite as a drug delivery system, the parameters affecting the CUR release such as temperature and PEG content were investigated. As a result, the proposed nanocomposite could be used as an efficient carrier for CUR delivery with an enhanced prolonged release property.