Reinforcement and toughening of poly(vinyl chloride) with poly(caprolactone) grafted carbon nanotubes

Poly caprolactone (PCL) was used to modify multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). The characterization results of TEM, FTIR, Raman, TG and 721 Spectrophotometer showed that PCL was covalently combined with MWNTs. The MWNTs/PVC composites were prepared by the addition of pristine and modified MWNTs into poly(vinyl chloride) through melting process. The addition of MWNT-PCL (0.28 vol%) increased the Young’s modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break, area of stress–strain curve and impact strength by 22.8%, 34%, 280%, 419% and 418%, respectively. The reinforcement values of ΔYΔVf=77.84±24GPa, ΔσΔVf=4.3±1.6GPa and ΔIΔVf=180±0.01GPa were observed. SEM image of the fracture surfaces showed that most of MWNT-PCL was pulled out of the matrix covered with a PVC layer, which showed high level of interfacial adhesion.