Effect of SW-CNT Diameter on Polymer Degradation and Resistance of Polystyrene/SW-CNTs Composites Induced by γ-Irradiation

Abstract

The outstanding electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) make them promising materials for a wide range of applications. Numerous theoretical and experimental studies on the diameter-dependent properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SW-CNTs) exist. The incorporation of carbon nanotubes into commercial polymers can alter the properties of both materials. Herein, we demonstrate polystyrene/SW-CNT composites with different diameters to check property changes, including radiation-protective characteristics under various doses of gamma radiation. The intrinsic glassy state of polystyrene disappeared owing to the introduction of SW-CNTs into the polymer-polymer chain. In addition, when 1.3 nm diameter SW-CNTs were introduced, the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy peaks for alkyl aryl ethers were observed at 10–60 kGy of gamma irradiation. In this study, the different phenomena that occur when polystyrene/SW-CNT composites are formed with different SW-CNT diameters (0.78 nm and 1.3 nm) were investigated via systematic analyses.