Influence of Surface Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes on the Properties of Polyurethane Nanocomposites.

Thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer/carbon nanotubes nanocomposites were prepared by melt mixing process and the influence of surface functionalization of carbon nanotubes on the properties of the nanocomposites was investigated. Improvement of tensile modulus was observed by the addition of functionalized carbon nanotubes compared to pristine carbon nanotubes. Dynamic mechanical analysis showed that glass transition temperature (Tg) of polyurethane decreased slightly with increasing carbon nanotubes content. Functionalized carbon nanotubes resulted in better dispersion and it was attributed to the improved interaction between functionalized carbon nanotubes and polyurethane. Functionalization of carbon nanotubes also improved the thermal stability of polyurethane/carbon nanotubes nanocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]