Spectroscopic, Thermal and Electrical Properties of CNT Added PVC/PMMA Blends

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of different ratios of CNT (carbon nanotube) additive on various properties of PVC/PMMA (poly (vinyl chloride/poly(methyl methacrylate)) blend. For this purpose, a nanocomposite was prepared by adding 0, 0.1, 0.5, and 1% CNT (carbon nanotube) to the PVC/PMMA blend, which was prepared by casting technique from a common solvent. Spectroscopic and thermal analyses were carried out on the prepared nanocomposite samples. SEM imaging showed that CNTs showed good distribution and interaction in the polymer matrix. XRD analyses showed the amorphous character of the structure, and CNT doping did not create any significant changes in crystallinity. The highest crystallinity was found in PVC40-1 at 15.24%. All the samples had similar Tg (Glass transition Temperature) values in the DSC analysis. The existence of CNT did not affect Tg values. CNTs helped to preserve the integrity of nanocomposite because the rate of degradation of nanocomposite without CNT reached its highest values (258.95–514.19W/min) in the DTG. TGA analysis showed that all the weight loss curves of the samples looked similar. Weight loss occurred at 194, 249, and 442°C and all of them were very similar. CNTs did not change the electrical conductivity of the nanocomposite. A fragility was observed in the structure of the nanocomposite.