Multifunctional role of an ionic liquid in melt-blended poly(methyl methacrylate)/ multi-walled carbon nanotube nanocomposites

• Published in: Nanotechnology Vol. 23; no. 25; p. 255702
• Main Authors: Zhao, Liping, Li, Yongjin, Cao, Xiaojun, You, Jichun, Dong, Wenyong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England IOP Publishing 29.06.2012
• Subjects: Compatibility; Electric Conductivity; Imidazoles - chemistry; Ionic Liquids - chemistry; Nanocomposites - chemistry; Nanotubes, Carbon - chemistry; Polymethyl Methacrylate - chemistry; Spectrum Analysis, Raman; Viscosity
• ISSN: 0957-4484; 1361-6528
• DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/23/25/255702

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) nanocomposites with a homogeneous dispersion of MWNTs have been fabricated by a simple melt-mixing method in the presence of a room-temperature ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [BMIM][PF6]. It has been found that the ionic liquid provided multiple functions in the preparation of the nanocomposites: (1) the ionic liquid acts as an effective compatibilizer to significantly improve the dispersion of MWNTs in the PMMA matrix; (2) the ionic liquid is an efficient plasticizer for the prepared nanocomposites, inducing a drastically reduced glass transition temperature in the PMMA matrix; (3) the ionic liquid acts as a processing aid for the melt processing of PMMA/MWNT nanocomposites; (4) the ionic liquid increases the electrical conductivity as a dopant. This strategy is free of solvents and compatible with industrial applications, which opens new avenues for the larger-scale fabrication of polymer/carbon nanotube nanocomposites.