Studies on Inter and Intra Molecular Hydrogen Bonding and Morphologies of Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes/polyurethane-amide

Polyurethane (PU) with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) composites were prepared by an in-situ polymerization method, using 1,6-hexane diisocyanate and hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene in tetrahydrofuran. All the composites exhibit as tough films. The PU/SWCNTs blend interactions were studied between the poly(urethane amide), [PUA] functional group and SWCNTs. In the blend matrix, SWCNT interaction with carbonyl amide of PUA is stronger than amide nitrogen of PUA due to the proximity effect of carbonyl groups. This effect leads to block the inter and intra molecular hydrogen bonding within PU matrices. The interaction of SWCNTs with the PUA were examined and studied by ATR-FTIR, Raman spectra, and resistivity study. The “core-shell” tubular bundles morphologies of composites were observed by SEM. All the analyzed data revealed that the SWCNTs were uniformly distributed in PU matrix. These nanotube composite films could be used in the field of aircraft coatings.