Preparation, Properties and Application of Polyamide/Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites

The discovery of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has opened up exciting opportunities for the development of novel materials with desirable properties. The superior mechanical properties and excellent electrical conductivity make CNTs a good filler material for composite reinforcement. However, the dispersal of CNTs in a polymer solution or melt is difficult due to their tendency to agglomerate. Many attempts have been made to fully utilize CNTs for the reinforcement of polymeric media. Therefore, different types of polymer/CNTs nanocomposites have been synthesized and investigated. This paper reviews the current progress in the preparation, properties and application of polyamide/CNTs (nylon/CNTs) nanocomposites. The effectiveness of different processing methods has increased the dispersive properties of CNTs and the amelioration of their poor interfacial bonding. Moreover, the mechanical properties are significantly enhanced even with a small amount of CNTs. This paper also discusses how reinforcement with CNTs improves the electrical thermal and optical properties of nylon/CNTs nanocomposites.