Plasma Functionalization of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Bucky Papers and the Effect on Properties of Melt-Mixed Composites with Polycarbonate

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes in the form of bucky papers were modified using Ar/O2 plasma and thereafter melt‐mixed into polycarbonate. The effect of plasma modification on the nanotubes was followed by XPS, indicating the formation of carboxylic or ester groups at the nanotube surfaces. In the melt‐mixed nanocomposites, the modified nanotubes exhibited a better macrodispersion and better phase adhesion to the matrix as evidenced by morphological investigations. The electrical percolation threshold was not altered and occurred below 0.5 wt.‐% nanotubes. The mechanical properties were improved by having higher values of stress at yield, stress beyond the yield point, and strain at break illustrating the effect of both better dispersion and enhanced phase adhesion. Plasma functionalization using an Ar/O2 plasma without additional modification steps applied on bucky papers of MWNTs was shown to be an effective method to enhance the dispersion, phase adhesion, and tensile properties in melt‐mixed polycarbonate composites, whereas electrical percolation remained at values as low as 0.5wt.‐ MWNT. XPS indicated the formation of carboxylic or ester groups at the nanotube surfaces, which helped achieve favorable interactions towards polycarbonate.