Preparation and characterization of rubbery epoxy/multiwall carbon nanotubes composites using amino acid salt assisted dispersion technique

Epoxy/multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) composites were prepared using sodium salt of 6-aminohexanoic acid (SAHA) modified MWCNT and its effect properties of related composites were investigated. The composite prepared using a polar solvent, tetrahydrofuran exhibits better mechanical properties compared to those prepared using less polar solvent and without using solvent. The tensile properties and dynamic storage modulus was found to be increased as a result of modification of MWCNT with SAHA. This improvement in the tensile properties and dynamic mechanical properties of epoxy/MWCNT composite is a combined effect of cation-pi interaction and chemical bonding. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy were used to explain cation-pi interaction between SAHA with MWCNT and chemical bonding of SAHA with epoxy resin. The effect of modification of MWCNT on morphology of a nanocomposite was confirmed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The present approach does not disturb the pi electron clouds of MWCNT as opposed to chemical functionalization strategy.