Interfacial fracture energy measurements for multi-walled carbon nanotubes pulled from a polymer matrix

Pullout experiments were performed at the nanoscale using an atomic force microscope, to assess the interfacial adhesion between multi-walled carbon nanotubes and a matrix of polyethylene–butene. Fracture energy for the nanotube–polymer interface was calculated from the measured pullout forces and embedded lengths. The results suggest the existence of a relatively strong interface, with higher fracture energy for smaller diameter nanotubes.