A comparative studies on dispersion of multiwall carbon nanotubes in poly (ethylene oxide) matrix using dicarboxylic acid and amino acid based modifiers

A comparative study on the tensile properties of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) composites were conducted using sodium salt of 6‐aminohexanoic acid (SAHA) and half neutralized dicarboxylic acids having different number carbon atoms. Among all the modifiers, the sodium salt of 6‐aminohexanoic acid‐based composite showed the best tensile properties. The good dispersion of MWCNT and the resulting enhancement in thermomechanical properties can be attributed to the cation–π interaction between SAHA with MWCNT and H‐bonding interaction of SAHA with PEO. The proposed cation–π interaction and H‐bonding interaction was explained by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopic analysis. The dispersibility of MWCNT in the PEO matrix was assessed by using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The crystallization behavior of PEO/MWCNT composites was studied and discussed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The present approach does not disturb the π electron clouds of MWCNT as opposed to chemical functionalization strategy. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:1003–1011, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers