Department of Materials Science, University of Patras, 26504 Rio Patras, Greece, Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vass. Constantinou Avenue, 116 35 Athens, Greece, Institut de Biologie Moleculaire et Cellulaire, UPR9021 CNRS, Immunologie et Chimie Therapeutiques, 67084 Strasbourg, France, and Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Universita di Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy

Chemistry of Carbon Nanotubes

Small but strong: A review of the mechanical properties of carbon nanotube–polymer composites

Carbon nanotube–polymer composites: Chemistry, processing, mechanical and electrical properties

Owing to their unique mechanical properties, carbon nanotubes are considered to be ideal candidates for polymer reinforcement. However, a large amount of work must be done in order to realize their full potential. Effective processing of nanotubes and polymers to fabricate new ultra-strong composite materials is still a great challenge. This Review explores the progress that has already been made in the area of mechanical reinforcement of polymers using carbon nanotubes. First, the mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes and the system requirements to maximize reinforcement are discussed. Then, main methods described in the literature to produce and process polymer–nanotube composites are considered and analyzed. After that, mechanical properties of various nanotube–polymer composites prepared by different techniques are critically analyzed and compared. Finally, remaining problems, the achievements so far, and the research that needs to be done in the future are discussed.

Mechanical Reinforcement of Polymers Using Carbon Nanotubes

Polymer nanocomposites based on functionalized carbon nanotubes

In this study, a novel ultrasonically initiated in situ emulsion polymerization approach was used to modify multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The dispersion behavior of MWCNTs in aqueous solution under ultrasonic irradiation was investigated by spectrophotometry. Ultrasonically initiated emulsion polymerization of monomer n-butyl acrylate (BA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) are reported. By employing the multiple effects of ultrasound, i.e., dispersion, pulverizing, activation, and initiation, the aggregation and entanglement of carbon nanotubes in aqueous solution can be broken down, while in situ polymerization of monomer BA or MMA on the surface of MWCNTs proceeds without any added chemical initiator; consequently, the MWCNTs are coated by the formed polymer. Transmission electron microscopy confirms that after surface modification through ultrasonically initiated in-situ polymerization, the size of MWCNTs increased; even after 72 h of Soxhlet extraction with boiling acetone there are still unextr...

and Qi Wang

Papers

Polymer-encapsulated carbon nanotubes prepared through ultrasonically initiated in situ emulsion polymerization