Efficient surface modification of MWCNTs with vitamin B1 and production of poly(ester-imide)/MWCNTs nanocomposites containing L-phenylalanine moiety: Thermal and microscopic study
S. Mallakpour, S. Soltanian
Vol. 10., No.1., Pages 54-64, 2016
DOI: 10.3144/expresspolymlett.2016.6
DOI: 10.3144/expresspolymlett.2016.6
Corresponding author: S. Mallakpour 
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT
A simple and efficient method was presented for chemical functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with vitamin B1. Poly(ester-imide) (PEI) based nanocomposites were prepared by the incorporation of different amounts of modified MWCNTs (5, 10, 15 wt%) into a chiral and biodegradable PEI by solution blending and ultrasonic dispersion methods. The chiral PEI was produced by a step-growth polymerization of chiral diacid with 4,4'-thiobis(2-tertbutyl-5-methylphenol). Spectroscopic and microscopic techniques were used to examine the chemical structure, morphology and thermal stability of the functionalized MWCNTs and the obtained nanocomposites. The microstructure study revealed the homogeneous dispersion of modified MWCNTs throughout the PEI matrix. Thermogravimetric analysis results confirmed that the heat stability of the prepared composites was improved compared to the pure PEI.
