(94e) Mwnt-Percolated Epoxy Network Composites: Synthesis and Characterization

The development of high strength materials and chemical and biological sensing substrates has been enhanced by the synthesis of conductive polymeric composites. Such composites utilize a polymeric system percolated with conductive filler. The use of carbon nanotubes as such a filler has provided conductivity to these composites at ultra-low concentrations, due to their high electrical conductivity and aspect ratios. Methods of alignment of nanotubes been investigated in order to further drive down the concentration, thus reducing the cost of production. In this investigation, electron beam (e-beam) has been used as a novel and nondestructive method of surface modification and functionalization of carbon nanotubes. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) were irradiated in various gaseous environments, including air, ammonia and glycidal methacylate. By inducing these environments during irradiation, surface active centers produced by e-beam are then functionalized with chemical groups. Functionalized nanotubes may then be covalently into polymer systems, thus enhancing their mechanical properties.