Effects of gamma radiation on poly(methyl methacrylate)/single-wall nanotube composites

Single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites were fabricated and exposed to ionizing radiation for a total dose of 5.9 Mrads. Neat nanotube paper and pure PMMA were also exposed for comparison, and nonirradiated samples served as controls. A concentration of 0.26 wt% SWNT increased the glass transition temperature (T_g), the Vickers hardness number, and modulus of the matrix. Irradiation of the composite did not significantly change the T_g, the Vickers hardness number, or the modulus; however, the real and imaginary parts of the complex permittivity increased after irradiation. The dielectric properties were found to be more labile to radiation effects than mechanical properties.