Synthesis and characterization of polyurethane based on hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene and reinforced by carbon nanotubes

Nanocomposites consisting of multi wall carbon wall carbon nano tubes MWCNT/polyurethane (PU) had been successfully prepared based on hydroxy terminated polybutadiene HTPB and the prepared MWCNT. The effect of concentration of prepared MWCNT and surface modified CNT on the morphology, mechanical reinforcement, and thermal properties of PU-based composites had been evaluated by FESEM, tensile testing, thermo gravimetric analysis TGA and differential scanning calorimeter DSC.Polyurethane (PU) networks based on hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) compound were prepared by a batch process. Two methods had been used to fabricate PU matrix/carbon nanotube nanocomposites: direct incorporation of unfunctional CNT (UCNT) into polymer matrices (noncovalent attachment) and in situ polymerization at their surface (covalent attachment).TGA showed a much better improvement of thermal stability of the composites than pure PU. Glass temperature (Tg) increased due to high interaction of CNT with PU. Also Young’s modulus increased. FESEM gave that the covalent attachment was better than noncovalent attachment for preparing PU/CNT composites.