Flexible Polymer-Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes Composite Developed by in situ Polymerization Technique

Abstract

Mechanically robust and flexible polymer-multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) composites are developed by in situ polymerization technique, where MWCNT are embedded in nontoxic, bio-compatible acryl amide-based polymer matrix. The addition of glycerol in the composite imparts required flexibility and a further addition of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) shows significant improvements in tensile modulus, strength, and toughness compared to the polymer matrix. The composite is characterized by Scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy Attenuated total reflectance Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy. At optimized conditions; the composite forms a heterojunction diode with n-Silicon having an electronic rectification ratio of 2.11 at +/- 1 V and a further addition of conducting polymer PEDOT: PSS in the composite enhances the electronic current rectification to 13.63 at 61 V, with the turn on voltage of the device at 0.35 V. (C) 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers