Preparation of Homogeneously Dispersed Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube/Polystyrene Nanocomposites via Melt Extrusion Using Trialkyl Imidazolium Compatibilizer

• Published in: Advanced functional materials Vol. 15; no. 6; pp. 910 - 916
• Main Authors: Bellayer, S., Gilman, J. W., Eidelman, N., Bourbigot, S., Flambard, X., Fox, D. M., De Long, H. C., Trulove, P. C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 01-06-2005; WILEY‐VCH Verlag
• Subjects: Carbon nanotubes; Carbon nanotubes, multiwalled; multiwalled; Nanocomposites; Surface functionalization
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.200400441

Well‐dispersed multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT)/polystyrene nanocomposites have been prepared via melt extrusion, using trialkylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate‐compatibilized MWNTs. Quantification of the improvement is realized via transmission electron microscopy and laser scanning confocal microscopy image analysis. Differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier‐transform infrared and X‐ray diffraction analysis show evidence for a π‐cation, nanotube–imidazolium interaction and the conversion from an interdigitated bilayer, for the imidazolium salt, to an ordered lamellar structure, for the imidazolium on the surface of the MWNTs.
Well‐dispersed multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT)/ polystyrene nanocomposites (see Figure) are prepared via melt extrusion, using trialkylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (DMHDIm‐TFB)‐compatibilized MWNTs. Quantification of the nanodispersion was realized via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and laser scanning confocal microscopy image analysis. The Figure shows a TEM image of polystyrene with 1:1 imidazolium‐treated MWNT and the corresponding analysis plot.