Elastic properties of UV irradiated polyethylene-octene copolymer composites with functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes

ABSTRACT

Polyethylene-octene copolymer (E38) is melt compounded with carboxylated carbon nanotubes (CNT-COOH) in the presence of maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (PEgMA). The effects of CNT-COOH in the amount of 1–10 wt. % on the mechanical properties of E38 based composite are investigated. It is revealed that addition of CNT-COOH considerably increases the stiffness and mechanical strength of the E38 based composites. The effect of UV irradiation on the structure as well as on the mechanical properties of E38/PEgMA/CNT-COOH composites is also investigated. Results of the investigation testify that UV resistance of the E38 based composites increases by increasing the content of CNT-COOH.

KEYWORDS:

• Carbon nanotubes
• polyethylene
• nanocomposites

Funding

The research has been supported from the funding of the State Research Program MultIfunctional Materials and composItes, photonicS and nanotechnology (IMIS²).