Nylon 610/functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes composites by in situ interfacial polymerization

Nylon 610 (poly(hexamethylenesebacamide)) nanocomposites containing well dispersed multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were prepared using an in situ interfacial polymerization. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the MWCNT were well embedded and adhered to the nylon 610 matrix. The interfacial interaction of nylon 610/MWCNT on the grafted nylon 610 chains on the MWCNT was enhanced by improving the compatibility with nylon 610. This allowed a homogeneous dispersion of MWCNT in the nylon 610 matrix. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of nylon 610 were greatly improved by incorporating a small amount of MWCNT (0.1 wt.%). Because MWCNT are electrically conducting, the resulting electrical properties of the composites were approximately 5 orders of magnitude higher than pure nylon 610 matrix (from 10− 17 S/cm to 10− 12 S/cm). Overall, the results suggest that in situ polymerization is an ideal technique for producing a perfect dispersion of MWCNT in polymeric matrices.