Influence of functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes on morphology, conducting and oxygen barrier properties of poly (acrylonitrile-co-starch)

Functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (f-SWCNTs) reinforced polyacrylonitrile-co-starch (PAN-co-starch) nanocomposites were prepared by in situ polymerization technique. X-ray diffraction pattern of synthesized PAN-co-starch/f-SWCNT nanocomposites was established. The morphology of nanocomposites was investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The electrical conductivity, tensile strength of nanocomposites was studied as function of f-SWCNTs concentration. Oxygen barrier property of PAN-co-starch/f-SWCNT nanocomposites was calculated and it was found that, the property was reduced by six times with increase of f-SWCNTs proportion. The thermal and chemical resistances of PAN-co-starch/f-SWCNT nanocomposites were increased with increasing concentration of f-SWCNTs.