In-situ preparation of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT)/cellulose nanocomposites and their physical properties

The multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT)/cellulose nanocomposites were prepared by using monohydrated Nmethylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) as a solvent for dispersing the acid-treated MWNTs (A-MWNTs) as well as for dissolving the cellulose. The A-MWNTs were well dispersed in both monohydrated NMMO and the nanocomposite films. The nanocomposite films were prepared by a film-casting method onto a glass plate. The tensile strain at break, Young's modulus, and toughness of nanocomposite films increased by ∼5, ∼2 and ∼12 times, respectively at φ{symbol} (A-MWNT content in the nanocomposite)=0.8 wt%, as compared to those of the pure cellulose film. The thermal degradation temperature of the nanocomposite films also increased from 329 to 339 oC by incorporation of 1 wt% A-MENTs. The electric conductivities of the A-MWNT/cellulose nanocomposites at φ{symbol} =1 and 10 wt% were 2.09×10^-5 and 3.68×10^-3 S/cm, respectively. The transmittances were 86, 69 and 55 % at 550 nm for 0.4, 0.8 and 1 wt% nanocomposite films, respectively. Thus, these nanocomposites are promising materials in terms of all the properties studied in this paper and can be used for many applications, such as toughened cellulose fibers, transparent electrodes, etc.