Preparation and properties of the highly porous poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol)/multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposites prepared by a simple saponification method

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were functionalized by electron‐beam (EB) irradiation in air at room temperature. As the EB dose was increased to 1000 kGy, Fourier transform infrared analysis detected the formation of carbonyl groups in the irradiated MWNTs. Poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl alcohol)/MWNT nanocomposite particles were prepared by the incorporation of EB‐irradiated MWNTs in a poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) (EVA)/toluene solution and saponification in an ethanol/KOH solution. Scanning electron microscopy observation showed that the nanocomposite particles had a highly porous, spongelike structure of connected matrix polymers and MWNTs. At low EVA/MWNT concentrations, the particles were less porous, and the precipitated polymer phase had a granular structure. At high concentrations, the porosity increased, and the precipitated polymer phase became spongelike. The thermal and mechanical properties and the electrical resistivity change of the prepared nanocomposites were investigated. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012