We report on our attempts to understand the effect of functionalization of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the processing and synthesis MWCNTs/polyimide nanocomposites and the resulting physical properties. Amine functionalized MWCNTs were dispersed in PETI-298 by combined dry and melt mixing. PETI-298/MWCNT mixtures were prepared at three different concentartions. The resulting nanocomposites were characterized to study dispersion, thermal and rheological properties. Fracture surfaces of all cured samples showed good dispersion under SEM. The rheological behavior of uncured samples was affected by the presence of the MWCNTs and their dispersion state. The fabricated nanocomposites exhibited excellent mechanical properties and improved glass transition temperature and dimensional stability. The experimental results suggest that combing the two methods of dispersion to incorporate the MWCNTs and the use of functionalized MWCNTs enhances the dispersion of the CNTs into the thermoset. This results in an improved interaction between the modified MWCNTs and the polyimide matrix.

High temperature polyimide/amine functionalized carbon nanotube composite:
Synthesis, processing, and properties

239th National Meeting (2010)

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High temperature polyimide/amine functionalized carbon nanotube composite: Synthesis, processing, and properties