Influence of GMA grafted MWNTs on physical and rheological properties of PMMA-based nanocomposites by in situ polymerization

In this study, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) reinforced poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposites were prepared by in situ polymerization. Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) grafted MWNTs (GMA-MWNTs) were used to improve the compatibility between the MWNTs and the PMMA matrix. The physical and rheological properties of the PMMA nanocomposites with different GMA-MWNT contents were examined. The GMA-MWNTs were embedded homogeneously into the PMMA matrix by in situ polymerization. A uniform dispersion of GMA-MWNTs produced nanocomposites with enhanced physical properties. The maximum tensile strength was observed with the 2.0 wt% GMA-MWNT loading, and was 41% higher than that of pure PMMA. In addition, the viscosity of the nanocomposites was increased gradually by the addition of GMA-MWNTs. The storage (G′) and loss modulus (G″) were increased significantly by increasing the GMA-MWNT content, which was attributed to the strong interaction between highly dispersed GMA-MWNTs and PMMA matrix.