Nitrophenyl functionalization of carbon nanotubes and its effect on properties of MWCNT/LCP composites

Abstract

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were functionalized on their sidewalls with p-nitrophenyl (C 6 H 4 NO 2 ) to make MWCNTs compatible with liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) through a specific interaction with LCP. This study examined the rheological, morphological, mechanical, dynamic mechanical, and thermal properties of LCP in detail with a variation of the nitrophenyl-functionalized MWCNTs in the LCP matrix. A higher complex viscosity, storage, and loss modulus were observed in the nitrophenyl-functionalized MWCNTs/LCP composites than the composites with the same loading of raw MWCNTs. The nitrophenyl groups attached to the MWCNTs improved their dispersion and interfacial adhesion with the LCP matrix, which was confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). As a result, the incorporation of the nitrophenyl-functionalized MWCNTs effectively enhanced the mechanical and thermal stability of the LCP.

High-Performance Reverse Osmosis CNT/Polyamide Nanocomposite Membrane by Controlled Interfacial Interactions

“…There have been many attempts to improve RO membrane performances and properties such as water permeability, salt rejection, antifouling property, and chemical/mechanical stability. − Recently, nanocomposite membranes containing nanomaterials such as metal oxide, silica nanoparticle, zeolite, graphene, graphene oxide, and carbon nanotube (CNT) have been prepared to improve these membrane properties and/or performances. − For example, titanium dioxide and silver nanoparticles were incorporated into the membranes to increase antifouling and antibiofouling properties, , and zeolite was embedded into RO membranes to improve the water flux. , In particular, CNTs have been studied for water treatment process because of its unique properties. Membranes containing CNTs have been known to have high gas or liquid permeability, ,,− antibacterial property, − and mechanical stability. − Above all, polymeric membranes having aligned CNT structures showed ultrahigh water flux values larger than 1000 L m –2 h –1 bar –1 (LMH bar –1 ). ,,,,, These high water flux values of the polymeric membranes having aligned CNTs were ascribed to the unique hydrophobic character of the CNT surfaces and uniformly aligned nanosized pores of CNT materials. However, there has been no report for the preparation of polymeric membranes with aligned CNTs having large enough effective membrane area and high enough NaCl rejection for practical RO membrane application, possibly because of the difficulties of incorporating uniformly aligned CNT layers into the physically stable polymer matrix materials as well as other possible technical problems.…”

Tactile and Thermal Sensors Built from Carbon–Polymer Nanocomposites—A Critical Review

“…This is the most commonly used method. (2) Melt mixing method [46]: Prepare a polymer solvent and add the nanofillers directly into the solvent. After solidification of the polymer solvent nanocomposite, the polymer nanocomposite is obtained.…”

Current Advances in the Carbon Nanotube/Thermotropic Main-Chain Liquid Crystalline Polymer Nanocomposites and Their Blends

“…In order to study the interfacial adhesion between different chemical groups on the surfaces of CNTs and LCP molecules, our group has recently chemically functionalized MWCNTs with different groups, such as carboxylic acid (-COOH) group [25,52,53], hydroxyl benzoic acid (-HBA) group [53,54], nitrophenyl (-C 6 H 4 NO 2 ) group [55,56], aminophylnyl (-C 6 H 4 NH 2 ) group [55], and benzoic acid (-C 6 H 4 COOH) group [55].…”

“…[55] [55,56] From Table 3, it is seen that the electrical conductivity of the LCP increased about 10 times when incorporated with 1 wt.% of raw MWCNT. Moreover, the electrical conductivities of the TLCP nanocomposites with the functionalized MWCNTs were much higher than that of the raw MWCNT/TLCP nanocomposite at 1 wt.% MWCNT loading.…”

“…Our group has been working on the preparation of high performance polymer composites from MWCNTs and a TLCP (Rodrun LC5000) [53][54][55][56]. We have a novel approach to chemical functionalization of MWCNTs for fabricating advanced polymeric nanocomposites with TLCP [53].…”