Development of carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes reinforced potentially biodegradable poly(amide-imide) based on N-trimellitylimido-S-valine matrixes: Preparation, processing, and thermal properties

The present study reports the synthesis and characterization of some new nanocomposites (NC)s of carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CA-MWCNTs) that reinforced a biodegradable poly(amide-imide) (PAI). First, a biodegradable PAI with flexible chiral unit in the backbone was synthesized via direct polycondensation, from an optically active synthesized N-trimellitylimido-S-valine diacid, and 4,4'-methylenebis(3-chloro-2,6-diethylaniline) (MCDEA) in tetrabuthylammonium bromide as a green media. Then, PAI/CA-MWCNT NCs have been produced via a simple ultrasonically assisted solution mixing method. The prepared NCs were studied with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis techniques. The results showed that a fine dispersion of CA-MWCNT bundles in the PAI matrix. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.