Rheological and electrical properties of multiwalled carbon nanotubes–polyvinyl alcohol nanocomposites treated at different pH conditions

This work demonstrates the physical properties of polymer nanocomposites of polyvinyl
alcohol (PVA) and functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) at different
weight ratios. The results demonstrate that the rheological and electrical properties are
significantly improved. The improvement over PVA properties suggests that the func-
tionalization of MWCNTs, at optimum pH condition, will improve their dispersion in the
PVA matrix and enhance their interaction with polymer matrix. The storage modulus
and thermal stability are enhanced with the increase of MWCNTs up to 1.0 wt%.
Alternating current electrical results show that the incorporation of MWCNTs into PVA
will enhance PVA conductivity and polar character while decreasing impedance.