In Situ Polymerization, Thermal, Damping, and Mechanical Properties of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes/Polyisobutylene-Based Polyurethane Nanocomposites

Despite the development of strong, durable, and cost efficient polyisobutylene-based polyurethane (PIB-based PU) materials has yet to be achieved. The well dispersion and maximum interfacial interaction between the nanofiller and the PIB-based PU at low loading have been scarcely studied. Here, the preparation of PIB-based PU nanocomposites with Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using a simple in situ polymerization method is reported. The thermogravimetric analysis tests show that MWCNTs significantly improved the thermal stability of MWCNTs/PIB-based PU nanocomposites. Compare to the pure PIB-based PU the onset temperature of degradation for the nanocomposite was about 20 degrees C higher at 0.7 wt% MWCNTs loading. Efficient load transfer is found between the nanofiller MWCNTs and PIB-based PU and the mechanical properties of the MWCNTs/PIB-based PU nanocomposite with well dispersion are improved. A 63% improvement of Young's modulus and slightly increased of tensile strength are achieved by addition of only 0.7 wt% of MWCNTs. The experimentally determined Young's modulus is in well agreement with the theoretical simulation. It is worth noting that the PIB-based PU and MWCNTs/PIB-based PU nanocomposites exhibit excellent damping properties (tan >0.3) from -45 degrees C to 8 degrees C. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:198-203, 2015. (c) 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers