Preparation and Tribological Properties of Polyimide/Carboxyl-Functionalized Multi-walled Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposite Films Under Seawater Lubrication

Abstract

The polyimide (PI)/carboxyl-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs-COOH) nanocomposite films were synthesized by situ polymerization method. The results showed that the incorporation of MWCNTs-COOH greatly enhanced thermal stability and mechanical property of PI. PI/MWCNTs-COOH nanocomposites exhibited better tribological properties under seawater lubrication than other conditions because of excellent lubricating effect of seawater. Besides, the wear resistance of PI under seawater lubrication had been greatly improved by filling MWCNTs-COOH, because strong interfacial adhesion between PI matrix and MWCNTs-COOH nanofillers could transfer load effectively between contact surfaces. In particular, when the content of MWCNTs-COOH was 0.7 wt%, the corresponding PI/ MWCNTs-COOH nanocomposites had the best tribological properties under seawater lubrication. Graphical Abstract The polyimide (PI)/carboxyl-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs-COOH) nanocomposite films were synthesized by in situ polymerization using 4,4 0 -oxydianiline (ODA), carboxyl-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs-COOH) and pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA). The tribological properties of PI/MWCNTs-COOH nanocomposite films were measured under dry sliding condition, pure water condition and seawater lubrication condition. This study can provide some guidance to develop polymer materials with excellent wear resistance suitable for ocean environment.

A comparative study on wear and friction characteristics of phenolic composite coatings filled with different morphologies ZnO

“…As it was mentioned in many other literatures, the interfacial adhesion strength between fillers and matrix played an important role in enhancing the wear resistance of polymer‐based composites . Therefore, it was easy to understand different wear behaviors of ZnO particles.…”

Enhancement of electromagnetic interference shielding from the synergism between Cu@Ni nanorods and carbon materials in flexible composite films

“…In addition to Cu and Ni, the diffraction peak of the (002) plane at 2θ = 26° in Fig. 2, corresponds to the graphite structure [44,45], is close to that of the (021) plane at 2θ = 26.5° [46,47], thus the (021) and (002) planes cannot be distinguished explicitly. results from the XRD and elemental mapping confirms that the Cu@Ni, graphene and CNTs were dispersed sufficiently throughout the PVDF.…”

Improved tribological properties of polyimide composites by micro–nano reinforcement

“…Polymer composites with desired physical and chemical properties could be reinforced with different fibers, filled with organic fillers and inorganic fillers to meet the different requirements . The common method and the best way to improve its strength was to add various kinds of fibers into the polymer matrix …”

“…The tribological properties were also improved due to the better interfacial interaction between the carbon nanofibers and the matrix. Peng studied the effect of active CNTs on the tribological behavior of PI nanocomposites and found incorporation of MWCNTs‐COOH greatly enhanced thermal stability, mechanical properties, and wear resistance under sea water because of strong interfacial adhesion between PI matrix and MWCNTs‐COOH. Importantly, introducing active MWCNTs into polymer could improve their mechanical and tribological properties due to high strong interfacial adhesion.…”