Effect of epoxydized carbon nanotube master batch on polypropylene film properties

Abstract

First, the surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was modified by epoxidation reaction to create epoxidized CNTs (O<CNTs). Following step, master batches of O<CNTs (MB-O<CNTs) with different O<CNTs contents (5-12 wt%) were prepared by melt mixing in the presence of anhydride grafted polypropylene (PPgMAH). The CNTs content dispersed uniformly in master batch is 7 wt%. Finally, the effect of MB-O<CNTs contents on some properties of polypropylene film (PP film) was studied. The PP film samples with different MB-O<CNTs content (such that the O<CNTs content in the film varies from 0-1.0 wt%) were prepared on film blowing extruder. The effects of O<CNTs contents on the mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of PP film samples were investigated. The study found that tensile strength of PP films increased significantly with increasing O<CNTs content while elongation at break decreased.