Preparation and thermal properties of soluble poly(phthalazinone ether sulfone ketone) composites reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotube buckypaper

A nanocomposite with soluble high-performance poly(phthalazinone ether sulfone ketone) (PPESK) as matrix and multi-walled carbon nanotube buckypaper (MWCNT-BP) as reinforcement was fabricated by hot-press processing. The morphologies, dynamic and static mechanical behavior, thermal stability of the MWCNT-BP/PPESK composites were studied using scanning electron microscope (SEM), dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). SEM microphotographs revealed a high impregnation degree of the MWCNT-BP/PPESK composites. Dynamic and static mechanical analysis revealed that the nanocomposites possessed high storage modulus, and good retention rate of mechanical strength even at 250 °C, which is mainly attributed to satisfied impregnation and strong interactions between MWCNT-BP and PPESK. Thermogravimetric analysis exhibited that the nanocomposites had excellent thermal stability. These investigations confirm that MWCNT-BP can be effectively used to manufacture high-loading CNT/PPESK composites with improved properties.