Rheological and mechanical properties of polypropylene prepared with multi-walled carbon nanotube masterbatch

In this study, the effects of polypropylene-grafted maleic-anhydride- treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (PP-MWNTs) on the viscoelastic behaviors and mechanical properties of a polypropylene-(PP)-based composite system were examined. The PP-MWNT/PP composites were prepared via melt mixing with a 3:1 ratio of PP-g-MA and acid-treated MWNTs at 220 °C. The surface characteristics of the PP-MWNTs were con?rmed via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The viscoelastic behavior and mechanical properties of the PP-MWNT/PP composites were con?rmed using a rheometer and an ultimate testing machine (UTM). The storage and loss moduli increased with increasing PP-MWNT content. The critical intensity stress factor (K _IC) of the PP-MWNT/PP composites at high ?ller loading was also higher than that of the MWNT/PP composites. In conclusion, the viscoelastic behavior and mechanical properties of MWNT/PP can be improved by grafting MWNTs to PP-g-MA.