Functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes as reinforcing agents for poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(vinyl alcohol)/starch nanocomposites: synthesis, characterization and properties

This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and PVA/starch nanocomposites with poly(ethylene glycol)-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs-PEG). For this purpose, MWCNTs were carboxylated by a conventional acid oxidation process and then poly(ethylene glycol) monomethylether was covalently attached to the carboxylated MWCNTs via esterification. Sonication was used to assist the dispersion of MWCNTs-PEG and the resulting suspension was added dropwise to a stirred aqueous solution of poly(ethylene glycol) and PVA/starch to produce PVA/MWCNTs-PEG and PVA/starch/MWCNTs-PEG nanocomposites. The chemical structures of all samples as representatives were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the morphology of the nanocomposites was probed by scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, it was observed that the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were improved due to presence of functionalized MWCNTs. (c) 2015 Society of Chemical Industry