Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia
Abstract
Structure, thermal, and mechanical properties were investigated for composite materials of
polypropylene (PP) and acetic group functionalized multi-walled nanotubes (FCNT) at FCNT
concentrations of 0.1%, 0.5% and 1.0% by weight. Part of the composites were compatibilized with
maleic acid anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MA) at concentration of compatibilizer of 3
wt.%. Researched compositions were laboratory made from masterbatches of PP/FCNT and PP/PPg-MA/FCNT solutions in o-xylene, which were sonificated, precipitated in methanol, dried and
melt mixed with the same matrix of PP. The compositions were compression moulded in to film
samples. Structure changes and the properties of composites were researched by the methods of
tensile tests, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier infrared
spectrometry (FTIR), and the measurements of dielectric characteristics. Effect of FCNT
concentration in compositions as well as the effect of PP-g-MA compatibilizer was researched in
detail