Preparation and properties of polyarylene ether nitrites/multi-walled carbon nanotubes composites

Polyarylene ether nitriles (PEN)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) composites have been successfully fabricated via PEN solution mixing MWNT and then solution-casting. The cast nanocomposite films were characterized by SEM, thermal properties and mechanical properties. The Young's modulus of PEN/MWNT composites was greatly increased with the increase of MWNT concentration. The crystalline behaviors of nanocomposites increased with the increase of MWNT concentration. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) measurement showed that MWNT could stabilize PEN when its weight content was greater than 2.0%, and a high char yield in N2 could be obtained for PEN/MWNT composite at 600 °C.