Single-walled carbon nanotubes/poly vinyl chloride nanocomposites and its properties

The SWNTs was purified/functionalized by acid treatment method and the F-SWNTs were used as reinforcing materials. The acid treatment introduced carboxyl (–COOH) group to the SWNTs. The PVC and F-SWNTs/PVC films were prepared by solution casting method. The fractured surfaces of sample was analyzed through SEM and showed the dispersion of F-SWNTs in PVC. The thermal study indicated that the thermal stability of PVC is enhanced with F-SWNTs incorporation. The mechanical properties were also increased with CNTs filling. The solvent uptake study suggested that the nanocomposites resist towards solvent uptake, which is due to the hydrophobic nature of CNTs and their irregular network formation within the polymer matrix.