Multiwalled-carbon Nanotubes/Poly(butylene terephthalate) Nanofibres: Morphological, Mechanical and Thermal Properties

Poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) nanofibres containing functionalizedmultiwalled-carbon nanotubes (F-MWNTs) were prepared by electrospinningtechnique. The F-MWNTs were prepared by the introduction of aromatic amine(COC6H4-NH2) groups onto their side wall via Friedel-Crafts acylation. The diameter ofneat PBT nanofibres was below 500 nm and had smooth surface. The scanningelectron microscopy (SEM) also showed that F-MWNTs/PBT composite nanofibres mathad similar morphology with that of pure PBT and without beads. The surface of thecomposite nanofibres was also smooth even by adding high quantity of F-MWNTs. TheF-MWNTs were embedded within nanofibres and well oriented along the nanofibreaxis, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mechanicalproperties (specific tensile strength and moduli) of the PBT nanofibres were significantlyenhanced by the incorporation of F-MWNTs. It was also observed that themelt-crystallization temperature (Tc) of PBT nanofibres shifted to a higher temperature(about 10°C) by the incorporation of F-MWNTs which might be due to the nucleatingeffect of the nanotubes