Thermal Properties of Carbon Nanotube (CNT) Reinforced Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Composites

Homogeneous Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/Carbon nanotube (CNT) composite has been prepared by solution casting method using gum acacia as a surfactant. CNT content in the composite was varied from 5-10 % by weight. The thermal properties of PVA/CNT composites were investigated by Thermo Gravimetric/Differential Thermal Analyzer (TG/DTA) and Thermo Mechanical Analyzer (TMA). TG/DTA results showed that higher thermal stability in higher percentage of CNT in the composites. The 10 % CNT containing PVA composite exhibit highest onset of melting, glass transition point and offset of melting temperature and the recoded values are 330.4K, 379K and 421.3K respectively. All of the result indicates that the developed PVA/CNT composite might be promising for use in solar cell application.