Effect of pyrene-modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes on the properties of epoxy composites

The block polymer of poly(styrene-b-pyrene) (PS-b-PAH) containing pyrene units was successfully applied on the surface of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and the properties of nanocomposites were enhanced. The morphology of the modified MWNTs was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the results showed that PS-b-PAH helped effectively the MWNTs to disperse well in epoxy matrices, and these dispersed MWNTs were stabilized by the pyrene modifier. The mechanical properties of the composites, such as impact toughness and flexural strength, and the electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites, are improved significantly after the treatment of the MWNTs using PS-b-PAH. The results show that the mechanical and electrical properties of the modified MWNTs/epoxy composites with PS-b-PAH are obviously superior to those of pristine MWNTs/epoxy composites. The enhanced interfacial interactions lead to good dispersion of MWNTs in epoxy matrices, thus enhancing the mechanical and electrical properties of the nanocomposites.