Plasma functionalization for improving dispersion and interfacial bonding of multi-wall carbon nanotubes in cyanate ester/epoxy nanocomposites

•The PAA film was deposited on MWCNTs by using a plasma approach.•The film was uniform and the thickness was estimated about 3nm.•The modified MWCNTs composites showed greater improvement on impact strength.•The dispersion and interfical bonding of MWCNTs in composites were improved. The ultrathin acrylic acid polymer film was deposited on multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by using a plasma polymerization approach. MWCNTs reinforced cyanate ester/epoxy nanocomposites were prepared and the mechanical properties of nanocomposites were studied. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results showed that the film was uniformly deposited on the surface of MWCNTs. The functional groups on the surface of MWCNTs were confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Moreover, it is observed that the functionalized MWCNTs reinforced epoxy/cyanate ester based nanocomposites demonstrated improved impact strength than that of as-received MWCNTs filled nanocomposites. This has been attributed to the enhanced dispersion of MWCNTs and the enhanced interfacial bonding between the functionalized MWCNTs and matrix.