| The quasi one-dimensional structure, aspect ratio, mechanical strength and electrical properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes make them ideal fillers for incorporation into composite systems for the development of advanced multifunctional materials. But several issues, including dispersion of nanotubes within the matrix, exfoliation of nanotube bundles and interaction of nanotubes with the host polymer, have to be addressed in order to realize the true potential of these composites. Especially for applications as structural reinforcements, the interface between the nanotubes and the polymer has to be engineered in order to maximize load transfer. The best way of ensuring favorable matrix-nanotube interactions is by chemical functionalization of the nanotube surface with suitable groups to promote adhesion with the polymer matrix. Functionalizing nanotubes with the polymer of the matrix provides the ideal case scenario by offering the best possible interface with the host polymer.; The work presented in this thesis involves the development of a novel methodology based on an anionic polymerization approach, for the synthesis of polymer-grafted nanotube based composites, with the aim of improving the dispersion of nanotubes and the interfacial adhesion between the nanotubes and the matrix polymer. This technique enables single-step synthesis, requires no nanotube pretreatment and preserves the original nanotube structure. Significant improvements in the mechanical properties of composites containing polymer-grafted nanotubes (when compared to both pure polymer and composites containing unfunctionalized nanotubes) were observed even at low nanotube loadings (1 wt.%). Melt-state rheological studies revealed changes in the terminal and entanglement plateau regions due to interactions between the free and grafted polymer chains. The improved load transfer across the fiber-matrix interface was confirmed using Raman spectroscopy. |
