Modification of MWNTs by the combination of Li-TFSI and MAPP: Novel strategy to high performance PP/MWNTs nanocomposites. (1st November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Huanhuan; Gu, Senlin; Cao, Huan; Li, Xuan; Jiang, Xin; Li, Yongjin
• Is Part Of: Composites. Number 176(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-11-01
• Subjects: Polypropylene -- Multi-walled carbon nanotubes -- Li-TFSI/MAPP -- Homogenous dispersion -- Toughness; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 620.118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2019.107268
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-8368

Abstract

Abstract: Polypropylene (PP)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) nanocomposites with excellent toughness and ductility pose significant challenges because of the severe aggregation of MWNTs in non-polar PP matrix due to the incompatibility. In this work, lithium bis(trifloromethanesulfonyl) imide (Li-TFSI) and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) have been simultaneously introduced to modify MWNTs for the homogenous dispersion in PP matrix. The surface of MWNTs has strong "π-cation" interactions with the Li + ions of Li-TFSI. At the same time, Li-TFSI can promote the ring-opening of the maleic anhydride and form coordination with the newly formed carboxylate. Therefore, the combination of Li-TFSI/MAPP enhanced the compatibility between PP and MWNTs. The Li-TFSI/MAPP modified MWNTs can be dispersed uniformly in the polypropylene. The elongation at break and the toughness of the nanocomposites with the 3 wt % modified MWNTs are 800% and 26 kJ/m 2, respectively. The values are significantly higher than those of the samples (200% and 22 kJ/m 2 ) at the same MWNTs loading. The strategy paves new possibility to fabricate high performance PP nanocomposites. Graphical abstract: Image 1