In situ polymerization and photophysical properties of poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole)/multiwalled carbon nanotubes composites

Poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole)/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (PBO-MWCNT) composites with different MWCNT compositions were prepared through in situ polymerization of PBO in the presence of carboxylated MWCNTs. The nanocomposite's structure, thermal and photophysical properties were investigated and compared with their blend counterparts (PBO/MWCNT) using Fourier transform infrared spectra, Raman spectra, Wide-angle X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, UV-vis absorption, and photoluminescence. The results showed that MWCNTs had a strong interaction with PBO through covalent bonding. The incorporation of MWCNTs increased the distance between two neighboring PBO chains and also improved the thermal resistance of PBO. The investigation of UV-vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectra exhibited that in situ PBO-MWCNT composites had a stronger absorbance and obvious trend of red-shift compared with blend PBO/MWCNT composites for all compositions. This behavior can be attributed to the efficient energy transfer through forming conjugated bonding interactions in the PBO-MWCNT composites. (c) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011