Poly(ethylene-co-butylene) functionalized multi walled carbon nanotubes applied in polypropylene nanocomposites

A novel functionalized multi walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) was prepared through grafting with α-azido-poly(ethylene-co-butylene) (PEB-N3). The PEB-N3 was prepared through a two step procedure and grafted onto an industrial grade multi walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) through a highly efficient nitrene addition. This novel nano filler was melt mixed into polypropylene (PP) and the composite was characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Rheology and Dielectric Relaxation Spectroscopy (DRS). The analyses showed that composites with the novel filler had a high degree of discharge from the surface and higher conductivity compared to the pristine filler, illustrating an efficient conductive network in the composites. The composites showed low percolation thresholds of 0.3 wt.% (0.15 vol.%) as well as improved stability at a range of temperatures from 25–135 °C.

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► Novel PP/MWCNT compatibilizer (α-azido-poly(ethylene-co-butylene).
► Highly efficient nitrene grafting of MWCNT were applied to obtain compatibilized MWCNT.
► Polypropylene composites with percolation thresholds below 0.15 vol.% were prepared.
► Composites with PEB-MWCNT showed superior conductive properties at 1 wt.% filler content.