Noncovalent functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes with pyrene-linked nylon66 for high performance nylon66/multi-walled carbon nanotube composites

A new interfacial agent, 1-pyrenebutyric chloride (PBC), was synthesized for use in nylon 66 (PA66)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites. It has been shown that the pyrene units in PBC adsorb onto the MWCNT surface by physisorption, and the acyl chloride units in PBC react with amine end groups in PA66 during melt extrusion. As a result, PBC that was covalently bonded with PA66 formed at the interface between the MWCNT and PA66 matrix. The PA66/MWCNT composite containing PBC exhibited the best interfacial adhesion between MWCNT and PA66 and the highest level of MWCNT dispersion in the PA66 matrix among the composites examined. It was also found that the PA66/MWCNT composite with the higher interfacial adhesion energy between PA66 and MWCNT exhibited a higher level of reinforcement.