Synthesis and characterization of new polymer composites containing carbon nanotubes

What is it about?

High-performance polymers and composites are well-known for many significant ways. As well, their exceptional chemical resistance to all kinds of acids makes them suitable for a broad range of applications like insulation and industrial carriage equipment. In the present work, an interesting diacid monomer, containing salicylic acid segment, was successfully synthesized in high yield and purity. This compound was used as condensation monomer in combination with 4,4'-oxydibenzene-1,2-diamine to yield novel poly(benzimidazole-imide) (PBII). Then it was used as matrix for fabrication of amino salicylic acid (ASA)-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT-ASA)/PBII composites with MWCNT-ASA loadings of 1, 2, and 5 wt%.

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Why is it important?

These characteristics indicated that the salicylic acid segments in the polymer backbone have played an important role in the improvement of solubility and thermal resistance of polymer. The thermal stability of the films containing MWCNTs-ASA was improved as the nanotube content increased from 1 to 5 wt% due to the improved interfacial interaction between the PBII matrix and MWCNTs-ASA. Also, the mechanical properties of the composite films were significantly improved with the introduction of small amount of MWCNTs-ASA.

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