Characterization of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes/Thermosetting Polyimide “TriA-PI” Composites

Abstract

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MW-CNTs) were dispersed throughout a thermosetting polyimide “Triple A PI” (TriA-PI). TriA-PI is a newly developed phenylethynyl terminated polyimide, and exhibits excellent mechanical properties and processability with high glass transition temperature (T_g>300°C). The resulting composites containing 3.3, 7.7, 14.3 wt% MW-CNT exhibited relatively good dispersion. Tensile tests on the composites showed an increase in the elastic modulus and the yield strength, and decrease in the failure strain. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) showed an increase in the glass transition temperature with incorporation of the MW-CNTs. The experimental result suggested that the MW-CNTs are acting as macroscopic crosslinks, and are further immobilizing the polyimide chains at elevated temperature.