The surface modifications of multi-walled carbon nanotubes for multi-walled carbon nanotube/poly (ether ether ketone) composites

Zongshuang Cao, Li Qiu, Yongzhen Yang, Yong Chen, Xuguang Liu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

The effects of surface modifications of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the morphology, dynamic mechanical and tribological properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube/poly(ether ether ketone) (MWCNT/PEEK) composites have been investigated. MWCNTs were treated with mixed acids to obtain acid-functionalized MWCNTs. Then the acid-functionalized MWCNTs were modified with ethanolamine (named e-MWCNTs). The MWCNT/PEEK composites were prepared by a solution-blending method. A more homogeneous distribution of e-MWCNTs within the composites was found with scanning electron microscopy. Dynamic mechanical analysis demonstrated a clear increase in the storage modulus of e-MWCNT/PEEK composites because of the improved interfacial adhesion strength between e-MWCNTs and PEEK. Furthermore, the presence of e-MWCNTs caused an enhancement in the glass transition temperature of the composites. Wear tests have shown that the friction coefficient of e-MWCNT/PEEK composites decreased significantly during the test after the running-in period. This suggests that there is an obvious improvement in tribological properties of e-MWCNT/PEEK composites. Overall, the e-MWCNT/PEEK composites have exhibited improved properties and are promising for their applications in industry.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)873-881
Number of pages9
JournalApplied Surface Science
Volume353
Early online date14 Jul 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Oct 2015

Keywords

  • Surface modifications
  • composites
  • dynamic mechanical properties
  • tribological properties

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