Dispersion of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes in Thermoplastic Elastomer Gels: Morphological, Rheological, and Electrical Properties

Abstract

An investigation was reported here with an aim to prepare nanocomposite thermoplastic elastomer gels by dissolving polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene/butylene)-b-polystyrene (SEBS) triblock copolymer in selective hydrocarbon oils with the presence of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The properties related to morphology, viscoelasticity, electrical and mechanical properties, and thermal stability were explored and discussed. Dynamic rheological measurements of the resultant nanocomposite thermoplastic elastomer gels (NCTPEGs) confirmed that addition of MWCNTs affects the linear viscoelastic properties in which dynamic storage and loss moduli increase to some extent. At a temperature between 30 degrees C and 40 degrees C below the gel point the NCTPEGs have dynamic storage modulus greater than loss modulus (G' and G ''), thereby indicating that at room temperature a physical network is still present despite the addition of MWCNTs. The morphological properties revealed that MWCNTs were dispersed and exfoliated within the swollen TPE. The incorporation of small quantity of MWCNTs improved the thermal stability and mechanical properties of NCTPEGs. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:210-217, 2010. (C) 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers