Ethylene-co-Norbornene Copolymers Grafted Carbon Nanotube Composites by In Situ Polymerization

• Published in: Macromolecular chemistry and physics Vol. 213; no. 6; pp. 627 - 634
• Main Authors: Boggioni, Laura, Scalcione, Giulia, Ravasio, Andrea, Bertini, Fabio, D'Arrigo, Cristina, Tritto, Incoronata
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 28.03.2012; WILEY‐VCH Verlag; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; graft copolymers; nanocomposites; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers; TEM; thermal properties; Ziegler-Natta polymerization; Norbornene copolymer; Surface reaction; Ziegler-Natta polymerization; Titanium complex; Dispersion degree; In situ; graft copolymers; Carbon nanotubes; Mechanical properties; Experimental study; Complex catalyst copolymerization; nanocomposites; Saturated copolymer; Functionalized nanotube; Multiwalled nanotube; thermal properties; Morphology; Preparation; Ethylene copolymer; Chloro complex; Nanocomposite; TEM; Modified material; Graft polymers
• ISSN: 1022-1352; 1521-3935
• DOI: 10.1002/macp.201100659

Vinyl functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT‐vinyl) are synthesized and used as monomers to prepare poly(ethylene‐co‐norbornene)‐grafted carbon nanotube composites by in situ polymerization with [Ti(η5‐C5Me5)(NCtBu2)Cl2] activated with methylalumoxane (MAO). The glass transition temperatures (Tg) of grafted MWCNT composites are more than 30 °C higher than those of copolymers. This difference is rationalized by the immobilization of the copolymer chain to the MWCNT surface by a covalent bond. The Young's modulus is shown to increase by more than 200% compared to poly(ethylene‐co‐norbornene) by incorporating 3.4 wt% functionalized MWCNT. Immobilization of poly(ethylene‐co‐ norbornene) to the surface of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) by covalent bond is achieved through terpolymerization of vinyl functionalized MWCNT. Individual nanotubes are randomly dispersed through the matrix. Composites are transparent, with Tg more than 30 °C higher and modulus more than 200% (with 3.4 wt% MCWNT) those of reference P(E‐co‐N).