The effect of carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes on reinforcement efficiency of thiazole-bearing poly(amide-imide) composites

Abstract

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/amino acid-based poly(amide-imide) (PAI) composites containing pendant thiazole moiety were successfully prepared through ultrasonication-assisted solution blending. In order to improve the compatibility between the PAI and MWCNTs, carboxylated MWCNTs were used in this study. The mechanical and thermal properties and cross-sectional morphology of the composites were investigated. The incorporation of MWCNTs–(COOH)n improved the mechanical properties of the composites compared with that of neat PAI. An improvement in thermal properties of the MWCNT/PAI composites was also observed. This synergetic enrichment in mechanical and thermal properties of the composites is due to the increased interfacial interactions resulted from the improved dispersion state and entanglement of polymer chains, as revealed by electron microscopy observation.