Preparation And Characteration Of Carbon Nanotubes/Polymer Composites

In this thesis, we firstly reviewed the latest development in the research of chemial modification of CNTs. By employing special techniques from classical organic chemistry and macromolecule chemistry, several new methods from CNTs surface functionalization have been developed. The fuctionalized CNTs were employed as fillers to prepare CNTs/polymer nanocomposites, which exhibits novel interfacial structures and functionalites.1. The influence of the cooling process and the solvent/non-solvent ratios on the properties of the self-cleaning polypropylene coating have been investigated, which reveals a compromise to the film porosity and crystal nano structure is essential for achieving a satisfied self-cleaning surface. The understanding to the micro/nano structural requirements is important for the design and fabrication of bio-mimic self-cleaning surfaces.2. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) tethered with terminal double bond functional group (CNTs-C=C) were synthesized and were used to prepare CNTs-C=C/ poly(methyl methacrylate) composites via an in situ polymerization method. In the bulk polymerization process, the CNTs surface have been efficiently grafted, which significantly improves the dispersity of CNTs and binding between CNTs and polymer matrix.3. Promoted by the catalyst and ligand in acetonitrile, benzenesulfonyl choride substituted CNTs were synthesized, which were used as macromolecule initiators to initiate atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate from the CNTs surface. The polymer grafted CNTs show good dispersal in organic solvent.4. Based on a similar approach of 3, benzyl chloride groups substituted carbon nanotube have been synthesized, which were used as macromolecule initiators to initiate ATRP of methyl methacrylate from CNTs surface and give good composite materials.5. The thermal control properties of CNTs/polymer coating have been investigated. Chemically functionlized CNTs were employed as fillers in the polymeric thermal control coatings. It was found that the solar absorption ratio and emission ratio increased with the increase of CNTs content, but the weight loss ratio result from radiation always remainsat a relative low level, which demonstrats that the CNTs containing coatings have good space durable properties.