Synthesis and characterization of composites based on TPOs reinforced with carbon nanotubes

Polymer composites based on thermoplastic elastomer and single-walled carbon nanotubes have been investigated. In particular, the effect of the incorporation of SWNTs on physical and thermal properties of the material are described. The results indicate that the SWNT act as nucleant agent, sensibly accelerating the PP crystallization in PP-EPDM blends. It is of interest to note that this effect is not linearly dependent on the SWNTs' content, showing a saturation of the nucleant effect at high nanotube concentrations. The maximum nucleant effect was observed at low nanotubes concentration (0.5%). Similar results were obtained by dynamic mechanical analysis, with an increase of the storage modulus by incorporating of low nanotubes contents. However, a further increase in the SWNTs content dramatically decreases the storage modulus. Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were Successfully applied to demonstrate that changes in the properties of the composite films, can be explained in terms of the structural variations in the composite.