Microwave-induced chemical functionalization of carboxylated multi-walled nanotubes with p-aminophenol: Towards the synthesis of MWCNT–poly(amide-imide) hybrids

Abstract

Covalent functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) with p-aminophenol was conducted to give enhanced solubility and dispersability by rapidly and efficiently generating of an appreciable amount of hydrophilic functional groups using microwave radiation. The functionalized MWCNTs were analyzed by means of field emission and transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. The surface-modified MWCNTs showed better chemical stability in common solvents. The functionalized MWCNT/poly(amide-imide) hybrid films prepared by solution blending method showed a good thermal stability and an increase in the elastic modulus with increasing of functionalized MWCNT content.