Rheological and mechanical properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube/polyethylene composites

Polyethylene/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were prepared by melt compounding using twin screw extruder. Effect of MWCNTs weight percent on the rheological and mechanical properties of PE/MWCNTs composites were investigated. The morphology of MWCNTs in the PE matrix was investigated using SEM. The storage modulus versus frequency curves move toward a plateau above the percolation threshold of about 8wt% with formation of an interconnected nanotube structure, denoting pseudo-solid-like behavior. The ultimate tensile strength and elongation at break of the nanocomposites decrease with addition of MWCNTs. The reduction of mechanical properties of the nanocomposites, implies the mechanism for mechanical reinforcement of PE/ MWCNTs composites is filler matrix interfacial interaction and not filler percolation