Nanostructured films and composites from carbon nanotubes dispersed by ABC block terpolymers in selective solvent

We report a versatile method to achieve strong and tough structured composites by the use of ABC block terpolymers. First, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) have been dispersed in solution by poly (styrene-block-butadiene-block-methyl methacrylate) (SBM). The influence of the solvent quality and the block molecular weights have been optimized to obtain long time stability of MWNT suspensions. Electron microscopy observations of the solution show specific localization of the SB blocks close to the nanotubes. Secondly, SBM loaded with 25wt% of MWNT was obtained from solvent cast of the stable suspensions. Composites have been prepared by melt-blending this masterbatch with polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF). Thanks to compatibility of PVDF and PMMA blocks, the composite is structured exhibiting a mesoscopic dispersion of SBM core shell particles and with SBM copolymers coating carbon nanotubes (CNT). Tensile tests show the toughening of the nanostructured composites. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.