Characteristics of polyimide-based nanocomposites containing plasma-modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes

A series of polyimide-based nanocomposites containing modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (mCNT) has been prepared. The multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) were modified by plasma treatment and maleic anhydride was grafted onto them. After plasma modification, the mCNT showed good dispersal in the polyimide matrix and imparted excellent mechanical properties. The mechanical properties, including Young’s modulus, tensile strength, and elongation, were improved with increasing added mCNT content in the range 0.01–0.5 wt.%. DMA measurements clearly showed that the glass transfer transition temperature (Tg) increased with increasing mCNT content. In addition, the electrical conductivities of the mCNT/polyimide nanocomposites exceeded 10−4 S/cm. These results indicate that the mCNTs incorporated into the polyimide matrix not only provided a path for electron transfer, but also effectively reinforced the polyimide matrix.