Effect of Plasma Polymerization Coating of CNTs on the Tensile Strength of Pei/Cnt Composites

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which were purified by etching in 25% $H_2SO_4/HNO_3$ solution at $60^{\circ}C$ for 2 h, were modified via plasma polymerization coating of acrylic acid, allylamine or acetylene, and then utilized to prepare PEI/CNT composites. First, plasma polymerization conditions were optimized by measuring the solvent resistance of coatings in THF, chloroform and NMP, and the tensile strength of PEI/CNT (0.5%) composites as a function of plasma power (20~50 W) and monomer pressure (20~50 mTorr). The tensile strength of PEI/CNT composites was further evaluated as a function of CNT loading (0.2, 0.5 and 1%). Finally, FT-IR was utilized to provide a better understanding of the improved tensile properties of PEI/CNT composites via plasma polymerization coating of CNTs. Plasma polymerization of acrylic acid greatly enhanced the tensile strength of PEI/CNT composites, as did allylamine but to a lesser degree, while acetylene plasma polymerization coating decreased tensile strength.