Poly(phenylene sulphide) and poly(ether ether ketone) composites reinforced with single-walled carbon nanotube buckypaper: I – Structure, thermal stability and crystallization behaviour

Single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) buckypaper (BP) reinforced-poly(phenylene sulphide) (PPS) and poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) composite laminates were manufactured through hot-press processing. Scanning and transmission electron microscopies were used for morphological characterization and qualitative evaluation of the impregnation degree of the BP. The thermal stability, resin and void content of the composites were evaluated through thermogravimetric analysis; a strong increase in the degradation temperatures of the polymers was found. Raman spectra revealed the existence of strong filler–matrix interactions. The glass transition temperature, crystallization and melting behaviour of the composites were investigated through differential scanning calorimetry and their crystalline structure was analyzed by wide angle X-ray diffraction. This investigation confirms that SWCNT-BPs can be used to fabricate high-loading CNT/thermoplastic composites with improved thermal properties.