Journal
NANOSCALE RESEARCH LETTERS
Volume 4, Issue 1, Pages 39-46Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s11671-008-9199-0
Keywords
In situ polymerization; Nylon-6; Nanofibers; Carbon nanotube; Nanocomposite
Funding
- Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development through Air Force Research Laboratory
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Multiwalled carbon nanotube/nylon-6 nanocomposites (MWNT/nylon-6) were prepared by in situ polymerization, whereby functionalized MWNTs (F-MWNTs) and pristine MWNTs (P-MWNTs) were used as reinforcing materials. The F-MWNTs were functionalized by Friedel-Crafts acylation, which introduced aromatic amine (COC6H4-NH2) groups onto the side wall. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images obtained from the fractured surfaces of the nanocomposites showed that the F-MWNTs in the nylon-6 matrix were well dispersed as compared to those of the P-MWNTs. Both nanocomposites could be electrospun into nanofibers in which the MWNTs were embedded and oriented along the nanofiber axis, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The specific strength and modulus of the MWNTs-reinforced nanofibers increased as compared to those of the neat nylon-6 nanofibers. The crystal structure of the nylon-6 in the MWNT/nylon-6 nanofibers was mostly gamma-phase, although that of the MWNT/nylon-6 films, which were prepared by hot-pressing the pellets between two aluminum plates and then quenching them in icy water, was mostly alpha-phase, indicating that the shear force during electrospinning might favor the gamma-phase, similarly to the conventional fiber spinning.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available