A Generic Organometallic Approach toward Ultra-Strong Carbon Nanotube Polymer Composites

• DOI: 10.1021/ja0474805
• Publication Date: 2004-08-18T04:42:24Z
• Authors: Rowan Blake; Yurii K. Gun'ko; Jonathan Coleman; Martin Cadek; Antonio Fonseca; Janos B. Nagy; Werner J. Blau
• Keywords: Polypropylene; Surface Modification

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes have been functionalized using n-butyllithium and then covalently bonded to a chlorinated polypropylene. The following addition of the polymer-grafted polypropylene polymer matrix resulted in significant increase mechanical properties. As nanotube content is increased 0.6 vol %, Young's Modulus by factor 3, while both tensile strength toughness factors 3.8 4, respectively. This covalent functionalization enables us get an efficient dispersion excellent interfacial stress transfer, potentially leading new ultra-strong composite materials.