Single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites were fabricated and exposed to ionizing radiation for a total dose of 5.9 Mrads. Neat nanotube paper and pure PMMA were also exposed for comparison, and nonirradiated samples served as controls. A concentration of 0.26 wt% SWNT increased the glass transition temperature (Tg), the Vickers hardness number, and modulus of the matrix. Irradiation of the composite did not significantly change the Tg, the Vickers hardness number, or the modulus; however, the real and imaginary parts of the complex permittivity increased after irradiation. The dielectric properties were found to be more labile to radiation effects than mechanical properties.

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Using Raman spectroscopy, we demonstrate that the anisotropic interaction between single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) causes significant changes in the electronic properties of their composites. Two different procedures were used to prepare the composites: melt blending and in‐situ UV polymerization. Resonant Raman studies relate the electronic density of states (DOS) of the SWNTs to the corresponding vibration symmetry changes of both the PMMA and the SWNTs. Our results show that, in the melt‐blended sample, the SWNTs—originally semiconducting—became predominantly metallic. The changes in the electronic properties were also confirmed by dielectric constant measurements. We propose that the anisotropic interaction between PMMA and SWNTs in the melt‐blended composite is the dominant reason for the observed electronic character change.

The purpose of this research was to probe nanotube-polymer composites for evidences of radiation induced chemistry at the interface of the host polymer and the nanotube structures. Single wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) / poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites were fabricated and exposed to gamma radiation with a Co60 source at a dose rate of 1.28 X 106 rad/hour in an air environment for a total dose of 5.9 Mrads. Neat nanotube paper and neat PMMA were also exposed. Spun coat films of SWNT/PMMA were exposed to gamma radiation with a Ce157at a dose rate of 4.46 x 103 rad/hr for a total dose of 3.86 Mrads. Both irradiated and non-irradiated samples were compared. Glass transition temperatures were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry. Dynamic mechanical analysis and dielectric analysis evidenced changes in relaxations induced by irradiation. Irradiated composites exhibited radiation induced chemistry distinct from degradation effects noted in the pure polymer. Scanning electron microscopy provided images of the SWNTs and SWNT/PMMA interface before and after irradiation. This investigation imparts insight into the nature of radiation induced events in nanotubes and nanocomposites.

Summary:Using different processing conditions, we disperse the singlewalled carbon nanotube (SWNT) into the polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) to form composites. In the melt-blended sample, the SWNTs -originally semiconducting -became predominantly metallic after dispersion into the melt-blended composite. The interaction of the PMMA and SWNT is investigated by the polarized Raman studies. The structure changes in the PMMA and SWNT shows that the anisotropic interactions are responsible for SWNT electronic density of states (DOS) changes. The increased metallic SWNT percentage is confirmed by the conductivity and dielectric constant measurements .