Preparation and properties of layered carbon nanotube/polyazopyridine/nanodiamond composites

Abstract

A facile route has been opted to synthesize carbon nanotubes/polyazopyridine/nanodiamonds nanocomposites. In-situ oxidative polymerization of conducting monomer in presence of nanodiamonds (functional nanodiamonds and non-functional nanodiamonds) and carbon nanotubes (functional carbon nanotubes and non-functional carbon nanotubes) resulted in nanocomposites. The physical characteristics of resulting nanocomposites were studied using various techniques such as Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. Field emission scanning electron microscopy examination revealed the polymer fibrillars formed network structure with ordered arrangement of nanodiamonds. Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy confirmed the structure of carbon nanotubes/polyazopyridine/nanodiamonds nanocomposite. Functional carbon nanotubes/polyazopyridine/functional nanodiamonds showed higher 10% degradation temperature (T10) 489℃ and glass transition temperature 229℃ relative to non-functional carbon nanotubes/nanodiamonds having T10 482℃ and glass transition temperature 221℃. Measured electrical conductivity (4.5 S cm−1) of functional carbon nanotubes/polyazopyridine/functional nanodiamonds nanocomposite was also remarkably improved by the incorporation of functional nanodiamonds relative to non-functional carbon nanotubes/polyazopyridine/non-functional nanodiamonds (3.9 S cm−1).